Transforming Māori education and revitalising identity

For more than 30 years, Rangimarie Parata Takurua has been dedicated to creating systems transformation in education for Aotearoa New Zealand. Collaborating with whānau (family), community, and government, her vision centres on revitalising Māori education and normalising Māori succeeding as Māori.

Through her involvement with Nōku Te Ao Charitable Trust, Rangimarie partnered with the Ministry of Education to establish Te Pā o Rākaihautū in Ōtautahi Christchurch, which first opened in January 2015. Te Pā o Rākaihautū is a unique 21st century pā wānanga (learning village). It operates on a single site, spanning early childhood to tertiary education, dedicated to achieving educational excellence and success for the entire whānau. The school's core kaupapa (purpose) lies in revitalising cultural identity, reconnecting with heritage and places, reigniting a passion for learning, and reshaping Māori educational achievement. 

Since its establishment, Rangimarie has worked tirelessly to explore opportunities for how the learning village can be expanded to create further connection and restoration of Māori traditions and practices. Rangimarie's overarching vision is to evolve Te Pā into a distinctive 21st-century pā wānanga (learning village). Teaming up with fellow EHF Fellow and education advocate Joanne McEachen (of Kia Kotahi Ako), they have been actively engaging with iwi and local community to understand aspirations of what a modern-day learning village could look like in the area.

Meanwhile the success of the kura has been evident through achievement data compiled in a recent Education Review Office report, showing students are meeting or exceeding appropriate levels for reading, writing, and mathematics. The school's NCEA achievement rates are also well above the national average. Students also participate in community activities such as meal preparation, reinforcing the school's values beyond the classroom. There is significant demand for enrolment, with a full roll and a long waiting list. 

Rangimarie says, “Te Pā is the school that whānau built! Our education system has not always been kind to our kids, and despite numerous pilots and well-intended programmes over many generations, it has been acknowledged that there has been a failure to close the significant gap between Māori and non-Māori achievement and retention. Te Pā is changing that and in doing so, is changing the life trajectories of so many of our rangatahi (youth). We are so proud of our students and graduates who are already carving out new worlds for the next generation. Tu ki te ao tau ana!”

Find out more about Te Pā o Rākaihautū at https://rakaihautu.com/