Te Wharekura o Ōtaki offers a rich, immersive learning experience grounded in mātauranga Māori and Raukawatanga. Ākonga will thrive in an environment where te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are woven into every aspect of their education.

Our Rumaki Reo programme provides a unique opportunity for students to strengthen their cultural identity and deepen their connection to Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Toarangatira perspectives. By learning through a Māori worldview, students are likely to develop a strong sense of who they are and where they come from.

Ākonga will gain invaluable insights into Tainui and local iwi history, adding depth and relevance to their learning. This connection to place and whakapapa enriches the educational experience for our ākonga, their whānau, and the wider Ōtaki community.

Our curriculum is designed to support students across all learning areas, including Pangarau (Mathematics), Hangarau (Technology), Pūtaiao (Science), Tikanga-ā-Iwi (Social Sciences), Te Reo Māori, Mahi Toi (The Arts), Hākinakina me te Hauora (Health and P.E) and Kapahaka. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded education grounded in Māori knowledge and practices.

Te Wharekura o Otaki is guided by our 10 Mātāpono (guiding principles) and the 6 C's (Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Character, and Citizenship), with the addition of a 7th C - Cultural competency. This framework supports the holistic development of our students, preparing them for success in both Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Whānui.

We utilise SchoolJoy to enhance the learning experience, providing ākonga with modern, engaging tools to support their educational journey.

In an exciting opportunity, our Rumaki Reo students can enrol in up to two tertiary papers through Te Wānanga o Raukawa. This head start on tertiary education can contribute towards a Diploma while still attending Ōtaki College, setting our ākonga on a path for future academic success.

By choosing the Rumaki Reo programme, Te Wharekura o Otaki, you're not only investing in your child's education but also contributing to the normalisation of Raukawatanga in our multicultural community. This immersion in te ao Māori enriches our entire kura and the wider Ōtaki community, fostering understanding and appreciation across cultures.

In addition to the rich educational offerings at Te Wharekura o Ōtaki College, selected ākonga will have the exciting opportunity to participate in a Spirit of Adventure experience being sponsored by the Spirit of Adventure Trust. This program includes a 5-night sailing journey on the Hauraki Harbour during Term 1 of next year, providing a unique blend of adventure and personal development.

The inclusion of the Spirit of Adventure sailing journey within the Rumaki Reo programme at Ōtaki College enriches the educational experience by providing students with opportunities for personal growth, cultural connection, and community building. This unique combination prepares our students not only academically but also as confident individuals ready to embrace their futures.

We encourage all eligible students to consider this remarkable opportunity as part of their journey at Ōtaki College! There are limited spaces available.

Te Wharekura o Te Kāreti o Ōtaki offers a unique, culturally rich educational experience that will empower our rangatahi to stand strong in their identity and excel in both te ao Māori and te ao whānui. Join us in this exciting journey of growth, learning, and cultural celebration.

E kore au e ngaro. He kākānō i ruia mai i Rangiātea. 

Language and Cultural Skills

Te Reo Māori Fluency - Ākonga will maintain strong fluency in te reo Māori through immersion in the language across all subject areas.

Cultural Knowledge

They will develop a deep understanding of mātauranga Māori, Raukawatanga, and local iwi perspectives, strengthening their cultural identity and connection to their heritage.

Academic Skills

Cross-Curricular Competence

The Rumaki supports learning across all curriculum areas, including:

• Pangarau (Mathematics)

• Hangarau (Technology)

• Pūtaiao (Science)

• Tikanga-ā-Iwi (Social Sciences)

• Mahi Toi (The Arts)

• Kapahaka

Ākonga will develop strong academic skills in both te reo Māori and English. The program introduces formal English instruction in later years, building on concepts already learned in te reo Māori.

Personal Development

Critical Thinking

The curriculum emphasises critical thinking as one of the key "C" skills.

Creativity

Creative expression is fostered through subjects like Mahi Toi and as a core skill.

Communication

Students develop strong communication abilities in multiple languages and cultural contexts.

Collaboration

Teamwork and cooperative learning are emphasised.

Cultural Competency

A unique focus on developing cultural competence and understanding.

Advanced Learning opportunities

Tertiary Preparation. The opportunity to take Wānanga papers provides early exposure to higher education.

Digital Literacy

The day-to-day use of Chromebooks and the use of tools like SchoolJoy will help to develop and extend on their  technological competence. 

By immersing students in te ao Māori while also preparing them for success in the wider world, the Rumaki Reo equips ākonga with a diverse and valuable skill set that will serve them well in their future academic, professional, and personal endeavours.

• Cultural Context: The learning is grounded in mātauranga Māori, Raukawatanga, and the perspectives of Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Toarangatira. This provides a rich cultural foundation for all subjects.

• Language Immersion: The Rumaki Reo unit offers a full immersion te reo Māori environment, where all subjects are taught in te reo Māori. 

• Cross-Curricular Learning: The program supports learning across multiple curriculum areas including Pangarau (Mathematics), Hangarau (Technology), Pūtaiao (Science), Tikanga-ā-Iwi (Social Sciences), Te Reo Māori, Mahi Toi (The Arts), Hākinakina/Hauora (Health and P.E)and Kapahaka.

• Local and Iwi History: Students learn about Tainui and local iwi history, providing a strong connection to place and whakapapa.

• Values-Based Learning: The program is guided by 10 Mātāpono (guiding principles) and incorporates the 6 C's plus a 7th C (Cultural capacity) unique to Ōtaki College.

• Digital Learning: The use of SchoolJoy indicates that digital tools are integrated into the learning environment.

• Tertiary Preparation: The opportunity to take papers through Te Wānanga o Raukawa provides a tertiary education context within the high school setting.

• Experiential Learning: The Spirit of Adventure sailing journey offers an outdoor, adventure-based learning context.

• Community Integration: The program aims to normalise Raukawatanga in the multicultural community of Ōtaki, extending learning beyond the classroom.

This multi-faceted approach provides a rich, culturally grounded learning environment that prepares students for success in both te ao Māori and the wider world.

1. Career Opportunities: Fluency in te reo Māori combined with a strong academic foundation opens up diverse career paths. Potential areas include:

   • Marketing

   • Business management

   • Health sector

   • Sustainability

   • Iwi development

   • Communications

   • Broadcasting

   • Teaching

   • Strategic advising

   • Māori research

   • Tourism

   • Administration

2. Tertiary Education: The program prepares students for further study, including:

   • The opportunity to complete up to two tertiary papers per year through Te Wānanga o Raukawa while still in high school

   • Potential to earn credits towards a Diploma

   • Preparation for university-level studies in Māori language and culture

3. Cultural Leadership: Graduates will be well-positioned to take on roles that require cultural knowledge and language skills, becoming leaders in preserving and promoting Māori culture.

4. Bilingual Advantage: The cognitive benefits of bilingualism can enhance overall academic performance and problem-solving skills.

5. Community Development: Ākonga will be equipped to contribute to the normalisation of Raukawatanga in their multicultural community, playing a role in cultural preservation and revitalization.

6. Increased Employability: As organisations across New Zealand increasingly value te reo Māori skills, graduates will have a competitive edge in the job market.

7. Academic Research: For those interested in academia, there's potential to pursue advanced studies and research in Māori language, culture, and related fields.

8. Education Sector: Graduates could pursue careers in Māori-medium education, addressing the high demand for qualified teachers fluent in te reo Māori.

9. Government and Public Sector: Opportunities in policy-making, cultural advisory roles, and public service where Māori language skills are valuable.

The Rumaki Reo program thus provides a strong foundation for ākonga to pursue a wide range of future paths, equipping them with valuable linguistic, cultural, and academic skills that are increasingly sought after in New Zealand's evolving social and economic landscape.

Regular attendance and a Chromebook.