A New Chapter: Embracing the Name "Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe

The renaming of our kura from "Te Kura Maaori o Pukekohekohe" to "Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe" marks a significant milestone in our journey. This change reflects a deeper commitment to the values and aspirations we hold for our kura, our students, and our future.

Taamata means to cultivate and work the soil, but also to refresh, restore, and revitalise–concepts that resonate with both the fertile soil of Pukekohekohe and our educational vision. Just as the soil yields bountiful crops, we aim to nurture our students’ minds and spirits, seeing them as seeds planted in rich, cultural soil. They will grow with new ideas, ancestral wisdom, and community support.

Our goal is for the students to become leaders who rejuvenate their communities, carrying forward the legacy of Taamata by cultivating culture, knowledge, and prosperity. This mission is captured in the whakataukii:

"Ko te whenua te waiuu, ko te tauira te kaakano; maa te Taamata ka tupu, ka hua." The land is the sustenance, the student is the seed; through Taamata, they will grow and bear fruit.

This whakataukii captures the essence of our mission: to provide a nurturing environment where students can grow, learn, and flourish, ultimately contributing back to their communities with the knowledge and values they have gained.

This name change signifies our dedication to actively revitalising our culture, language, and traditions. As we embrace "Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe," we reaffirm our role in cultivating knowledge, identity, and future leaders.

We invite our students, whaanau, and community to join us in this journey of cultivation and revitalisation. Together, we will work the soil of Pukekohekohe—both literally and metaphorically—to ensure our efforts yield abundant and lasting results.

Under the banner of Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe, we expect our students to flourish and embody the essence of Taamata in all aspects of their lives. The future is fertile, and together, we will cultivate it with care, wisdom, and purpose.

Paimarire!