"Tuakāna Tēina is far more than just mentoring someone in skills they possess.

It is a collaboration of appreciation based on shared mutual equal respect for one another."

This is an excerpt from an upcoming eBook and collaboration by Aroha Puketapu with Graeme (Kereama) Smith.

Tuakāna / Tēina grow and support each other. Tuakāna learn to develop and deliver a program in their assigned Kaimanaaki class where they lead activities. These activities are designed to be in alignment with the school values and the Whakatauki they choose. Tuakāna helps guide and support Tēina to help them connect and intentionally build relationships within the year 9 Manaaki class. All Tuakāna are expected to lead develop and take a role. 

The outcomes of the 2024 survey that was sent out to our year 9 students outlined the following experiences they had during AKO period with the Tuakana prefects. Out of 161 responses:

94% said they liked having the Tuakana in their classes,  

56% said they wanted them to come in more than once a week, and 45% said twice a week. 

84% said Tuakana connected with everyone during class, 

70% of the students said that having Tuakana with them during their AKO class helped them to connect more with the other students in their class.