This resource was created with the purpose of strengthening our understanding of the land our kura stand on. Too often, the stories of place are overlooked, yet they hold the whakapapa that grounds our communities. This project explorse the deep and layered history of Whakaoriori, weaving together pūrākau, land use, and iwi connections to better support our ākonga in knowing where they come from and why their kura is here today.

Because all of our kura hold such a long and rich history we used four guiding questions;

What was here?

Who was here?

Why is the kura here?

Any other hītori?

This resource can be used by any ākonga in any kura. With the support of Gareth Winter and Joe Potangaroa, we’ve been able to put together a pūrākau map that shares the stories of our kura across the motu. This has allowed us to share a little bit of history regarding every kura, and put it all in the same place.

Our project, Te Whenua o te Kura, sits right at the heart of our achievement focus. We wanted to build a digital resource that brings together the local narratives, histories, and stories of the whenua long before our kura were established. The goal is simple: for our ākonga — and the ākonga who will come after them — to feel a genuine connection to their kura by understanding the history beneath their feet. This mahi helps anchor them in place, in story, and in the whakapapa of our hāpori.