Principal's Comment - Tumuaki Kōrero

The best way to understand Mahora is to see our tamariki arrive each morning - full of smiles, energy and ready to take on the day. This is a place where every child is known, valued and encouraged to Piki Haere (keep on climbing). For more than 120 years, generations of whānau have come through our gates, helping to shape the strong, supportive community we have today.

Our emblem, the Pīpīwharauroa (the shining cuckoo) and our motto Piki Haere were gifted to us by Bishop Bennett. Known as the harbinger of spring, the Pīpīwharauroa symbolises renewal and the arrival of each new generation of learners. It carries our five values in its koru: Mauri, Whanaungatanga, Ngākaupai, Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga. As our guiding whakataukī says, Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu - adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly. Here, we give our tamariki the opportunities and support to take flight and to be proud of who they are.

Our grounds are something special. We have a rugby field, football field, hockey turf, basketball courts and two pools, including a dedicated learner’s pool. We also have a Rongoā garden, a bike track used regularly through our bike programme and two playgrounds – one for the whole school and one designed especially for our juniors. Classrooms are bright, well resourced and welcoming - places where curiosity and confidence grow.

As proud as we are of our facilities, the true heart of Mahora is our people. A dedicated team of kaiako and support staff, and wonderful tamariki who bring energy, creativity and warmth every day.

At Mahora, learning is rich and connected, shaped by the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and our localised curriculum. Strong foundations in reading, writing and maths go hand in hand with diverse opportunities in sport, culture and extra-curricular activities. This opens the door for every child to discover and grow their talents. Our tamariki learn to think for themselves, look out for others and take pride in their unique culture and identity.

We value the strong partnerships we have with our whānau, hapū and iwi, knowing that working together makes the biggest difference for our tamariki. Our community is actively involved, supporting us to create a safe and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. These partnerships, along with our cultural narrative, are part of what makes Mahora special. Our classrooms carry the names of rākau from the ngahere (forest), and our houses are named for local awa (rivers) and their stories. As the whakataukī says, “Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao” - the bird who eats the miro berry owns the forest, the bird who eats knowledge owns the world. For us, it’s a reminder that when tamariki are grounded in their culture and identity, they’re ready to step confidently into the wider world.

If you’re looking for a school where your child will be inspired, supported and challenged, we would love to welcome you. Get in touch to arrange a visit and tour. Come and meet our people, see learning in action and feel the spirit that makes Mahora a special place to be.

Ngā mihi
Greg English
Tumuaki, Mahora School