Oriini Kaipara: Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki opens new pathways for rangatahi Māori in Auckland CBD
A new Māori-led kura in central Auckland is opening doors for rangatahi Māori who have not been well served by mainstream education. The opening of Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki marks a kaupapa Māori approach to senior secondary schooling in the CBD, with strong pathways into tertiary education, trades, and employment.
Māori-led kura opens in central Tāmaki Makaurau
MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara, welcomes the opening of Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki, a new Māori-led Kura Hourua in Te Pokapū, Auckland’s CBD, saying it represents a necessary shift toward an education system that works for rangatahi Māori.
“Too many of our rangatahi have been asked to succeed in systems that were never designed for them. Te Kāpehu Whetū turns that around by building its foundations on Māori potential, knowledge, and excellence,” Ms Kaipara said.
Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki offers bilingual education and boarding
Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki officially opened on City Road in Auckland’s CBD today, offering bilingual education for students of all nationalities from Years 11 to 13. The kaupapa centres on academic achievement, te reo Māori, hauora, technology, and high-performance sport. Boarding options in nearby Taurarua Parnell will enable students from across the motu to enrol.
Why kaupapa Māori education matters for rangatahi
Ms Kaipara said kaupapa Māori education models, including Kura Hourua, play a vital role in supporting rangatahi who may not have thrived in mainstream education.
“When rangatahi are grounded in their reo, their tikanga, and their identity, and when learning is connected to physical wellbeing and real pathways, we see confidence, resilience, and success.”
Ms Kaipara said the kura’s location in central Tāmaki Makaurau, close to universities and training providers, strengthens pathways into tertiary education, trades, and employment.
“Education doesn’t exist in isolation. Te Kāpehu Whetū understands that rangatahi need wraparound support, high expectations, and clear futures – not a one-size-fits-all schooling.”
Leadership, vision, and future-focused education
She acknowledged the leadership of the kura founders and staff, and paid particular mihi to Dr Will Flavell, Principal of Te Kāpehu Whetū – Tāmaki, for the invitation to attend today.
“I want to acknowledge Dr Will Flavell for his leadership, vision, and commitment to creating education spaces where rangatahi Māori are seen, valued, and set up to succeed,” Ms Kaipara said.
“Opening a kura like this takes courage and conviction. Te Kāpehu Whetū is not just opening a school, it is opening doors for rangatahi who deserve better.”
“Kura like Te Kāpehu Whetū show us what’s possible when we choose belief over blame, and futures over failure,” said Ms Kaipara.
