New kura Te Whata Tau o Putauaki celebrated its official opening in Kawerau on Tuesday, February 7 – the culmination of 16 years of planning and work. Te Whata Tau o Putauaki is committed to ngā tikanga me ngā kōrero tuku iho o Putauaki, with educational programmes that express the uniqueness of the whānau, hapū, iwi and community of Kawerau. Distinguished Professor Graham H. Smith and staff from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: indigenous university attended the celebration, and, as part of Awanuiārangi’s support, planted a tree on the school’s Rakau Māori pathway. Dedicated to rongoa Māori, the Rakau Māori pathway will be cared for by the tamariki as part of their studies into the medicinal properties of rakau Māori. “We envision that this will be an everlasting walkway for our tamariki,” the school’s Establishment Board of Trustees said.
Putauaki School Sign
Putauaki Powhiri
Te Ururoa Flavell MP Waiariki, The Honourable Doctor Pita Sharples Minister of Māori Affairs,
Distinguished Professor Graham H. Smith CEO
Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi indigenous-universtiy,
Pem Bird Māori Party President, Hemana Eruera Manuera Te Puni Kokiri
Distinguished Professor Graham H. Smith
CEO Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi indigenous-universtiy
Waitangi Black, Tukiterangi Curtis, Ngahirata Gardner and Te Ranui Black