Te Kawa a Maui
Te Kawa a Maui is our space of innovation, creativity, and forward thinking. It is where we incubate new opportunities that extend the horizons of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, blending tikanga with modern tools.
A cornerstone initiative is the development of a digital platform for lifelong learning – mai i te Koopae ki Rangiaatea. This platform will empower uri to access knowledge, skills, and experiences at every stage of life, ensuring that learning is continuous, culturally grounded, and globally relevant.
Alongside this, Te Kawa a Maui supports the creation of educational resources through a Rauru lens, positioning Ngaa Rauru knowledge in a legitimate space within the national curriculum. These resources affirm that local knowledge is both recognised and validated within our rohe, while building principles and practices that engage uri inside and outside of the classroom.
The broader vision for this work is carried within Te Kooiwi-Roa o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi — the iwi’s education framework and tribal graduate profile. Te Kooiwi-Roa outlines the aspirations we hold for every uri: to know who they are, to carry their reo and stories, to care for te taiao, to walk confidently in both academic and cultural worlds, and to thrive in a modern, changing society.
Te Kawa a Maui is about turning bold ideas into practical solutions. Whether through digital innovation, curriculum development, or transformative partnerships, it grows the capacity of our iwi and ensures our uri are equipped to shape a sustainable future for themselves, their whaanau, and Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi.
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He Kaakano Innovation Hub
He Kaakano is Te Kaahui o Rauru’s indigenous tech innovation hub – a space where whakapapa, creativity and technology converge to grow the next generation of Ngaa Rauru innovators, leaders and storytellers.
At the heart of He Kaakano is a vision for our uri, hapuu, whaanau and community to come together, to harness their creativity, and to respond to the challenges and opportunities of our time – from climate change to the digital future. Guided by kaupapa Maaori values and tikanga, rangatahi are supported to learn about, with and through technology in ways that strengthen identity, confidence and capability.
Through the Rangatahi Tech Waananga and other kaupapa, tauira are developing skills in coding, animation, VR and AR, game design, digital storytelling and more, while seeing themselves as creators, technologists and entrepreneurs in the digital world.
He Kaakano places whaanau and community at the centre, ensuring parents and caregivers walk alongside their tamariki as they re-engage in education, training or future career pathways. Many whaanau have celebrated the visible growth and success of their rangatahi, recognising He Kaakano as a seedbed for transformation.
Partnerships with kura, tertiary providers, iwi health services and industry leaders such as Microsoft have flourished, blending global tools with indigenous values to build culturally grounded tech talent ready to thrive both locally and globally.
From hosting Rangatahi Tech Expos to co-designing kura curriculum, from digital storytelling workshops to piloting pathways into the IT sector, He Kaakano is both a catalyst for innovation and a platform for cultural connection.
Already, hundreds of rangatahi have engaged through He Kaakano, exceeding expectations and demonstrating the hunger our people have for culturally anchored, future-ready learning.
Demand continues to grow, showing that this kaupapa is not only meeting immediate educational needs but also nurturing long-term aspirations for Ngaa Rauru Kiitahitanga.
Maa te huruhuru ka rere te manu – with the feathers of knowledge our rangatahi soar – and through He Kaakano we are growing a future where technology and Ngaa Raurutanga thrive side by side.
Te Kooiwi-roa o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi
Our Vision
Te Kooiwi-Roa is the iwi education framework and graduate profile of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi. It represents the spine of our people — where each uri has a place, a purpose, and is valued. Through Te Kooiwi-Roa we affirm our stories, honour our tuupuna, and build a sustainable future for our tamariki mokopuna.
Educational Resources through a Rauru Lens
This kaupapa provides an opportunity for both Maaori and non-Maaori learners to engage in education through an authentic cultural context. By embedding Ngaa Rauru knowledge, values, and worldviews into learning, it positions our cultural knowledge in a legitimate space within the New Zealand education system.
Educational resources designed through a Rauru lens:
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Support knowledge, skills, and attitudes vital for the 21st century.
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Validate local knowledge within our rohe.
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Develop pedagogical principles that engage uri both inside and outside the classroom.
Ngaa Moohiotanga o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi
Central to this framework is the distinction between ngaa moohiotanga o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi (knowledge belonging to Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi) and maatauranga (knowledge that comes from outside). By asserting the place of our own moohiotanga, we strengthen identity, cultural pride, and the ability of uri to navigate confidently in both worlds.
Graduate Profile
Te Kooiwi-Roa describes the aspirations we hold for every uri of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi. Our six whenu (strands) form the foundation of this profile:
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Whakapapa (Identity): Uri know who they are, where they come from, and the importance of relationships with others.
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Te Reo (Language): Uri are linguists of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi reo, English, and other languages.
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Koorero o mua (Historic Recollection): Uri connect to, and can retell, the stories of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, our tuupuna, and sites of significance.
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Te Taiao (Environment): Uri understand their relationship with Ranginui, Papatuuaanuku, and their children.
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Maatauranga (Academia): Uri walk with confidence in both the world of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and the wider academic world.
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Te Ao Hurihuri (Modern World): Uri gain the knowledge and skills to participate fully and successfully in our ever-changing society.
These strands interweave to prepare uri as confident, capable graduates who can contribute to their iwi, Aotearoa, and the world.
