In the photograph are senior students from Te Kura Māori o Porirua who graduated in 2022 with heke (diplomas). They are Devanti-Kruz RATANA, Wailaan TUHAKARAINA GODDARD, Tiaki TAURIMA, Jean-Marie PAAMA-AKAVI, Matuaiwi SOLOMON, Renne GRAY, Drevon HAUNUI McGARVEY,

Te Wānanga o Raukawa has been engaging with kura students since 1996 with the initial kura students coming from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito and Ōtaki College.  The main benefit has been that the students have been able to complete or partly complete undergraduate diplomas and degrees while still attending kura and before completing their secondary education. 

At one time Te Wānanga o Raukawa had arrangements with kura  all the way from Invercargill to Awanui in the North. Currently we have Mutual Recognition Arrangements with six kura kaupapa Māori and two kura a iwi including Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kura Kōkiri, Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Tonga o Hokianga, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Hiringa, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, Te Ara Whānui Kura Kaupapa Māori o ngā Kōhanga Reo o Te Awa-Kairangi, Te Kura o Hirangi and Te Kura Māori o Porirua. There are also secondary school students who enrol with the Wānanga independently of their kura. The courses available to kura students are at the poupou (certificate), heke (diploma) and poutuarongo (bachelor) levels. 

“it’s wonderful to see them graduate and receive their diplomas and degrees” 

Mere Ropata-Box, Kaikōkiri for Mai i te Ūkaipō, recalls, “It’s inspiring to see the support the kura students receive from their whānau, kaiwhakaako and fellow kura students whilst on this journey. Further, it’s wonderful to see them graduate and receive their diplomas and degrees. The karanga, waiata and haka ring out when they walk the stage to receive their qualifications.” 

Strong relationships have been built between kura and the Wānanga because of this engagement. They also have common educational goals. 

Kaye Radovanovich, Kaiwhakahaere for Māi i Te Ūkaipō, adds “it is one of the best initiatives for kura students.” That is, to engage in studies with Te Wānanga o Raukawa, because by the time they complete their secondary education, they will have completed or partly completed a tertiary level qualification. It is a natural progression from kōhanga to kura to wānanga. 

If your kura is interested in engaging with Te Wānanga o Raukawa, please contact Denise Hapeta at Denise.Hapeta@twor-otaki.ac.nz 

For more information about our programmes visit https://www.wananga.com