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Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
‘We just awhi them': Iwi-led initiative tackles school attendance crisis
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter The initiative helped to re-engage more than 250 children with education last year. An iwi entity leading a joint approach to tackle low school attendance in Whanganui and South Rangitīkei says the number of cases is sobering. But Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, based in Marton, counts as 'a huge win' its success in re-engaging more than 250 children with education last year. The students, aged between six and 16, had not been attending school regularly. 'We just awhi them to try to remove any barrier,' Te Puna education, training and employability manager Shonee Cooper said. In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52 percent) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were 'sobering' but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. 'Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau,' Hina said. 'By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance.' The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, Hina said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. 'This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met.' Cooper said whānau were mostly 'very supportive' of their children's education, but some needed help. 'There are always lots of external elements – the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau,' Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. 'To have 494 cases closed and 52 percent re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. 'We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard.' Cooper said for those aged under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people 'aged out' at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. 'We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something.' Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. 'We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. 'A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them.' But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. 'It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same.' Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui, and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
'We just awhi them': Iwi-led initiative tackles school attendance crisis
An iwi entity leading a joint approach to tackle low school attendance in Whanganui and South Rangitīkei says the number of cases is sobering. But Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, based in Marton, counts as "a huge win" its success in re-engaging more than 250 children with education last year. The students, aged between six and 16, had not been attending school regularly. "We just awhi them to try to remove any barrier," Te Puna education, training and employability manager Shonee Cooper said. In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52 percent) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were "sobering" but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. "Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau," Hina said. "By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance." The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, Hina said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. "This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met." Cooper said whānau were mostly "very supportive" of their children's education, but some needed help. "There are always lots of external elements - the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau," Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. "To have 494 cases closed and 52 percent re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. "We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard." Cooper said for those aged under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people "aged out" at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. "We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something." Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. "We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. "A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them." But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. "It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same." Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui, and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Iwi-led initiative tackles Whanganui, Rangitīkei school attendance crisis
In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52%) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were 'sobering' but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. 'Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau,' Hina said. 'By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance.' The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, she said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. 'This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met.' Cooper said whānau were mostly 'very supportive' of their children's education but some needed help. 'There are always lots of external elements – the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau,' Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. 'To have 494 cases closed and 52% re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. Advertise with NZME. 'We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard.' Cooper said that, for those under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people 'aged out' at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. 'We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something.' Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. 'We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. 'A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them.' But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. 'It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same.' Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty club rugby: Mount Maunganui secures Battle of the Bridge, Whaka takes first round trophy
Te Puke Sports cemented second place in the title race behind Whakarewarewa when they went on a try-scoring blitz against Rangataua, at Pirates headquarters. Pirates No 8 Grady Forbes scored three tries in six minutes to set the platform for the Te Puke Sports 81-5 victory, with Kolinio Gonebale also dotting the ball down three times. The early game at the Tauranga Domain was close at half time, with Mount Maunganui Development holding a narrow lead over their Tauranga Sports counterparts. The visitors cut loose in the second spell to post a 55-14 win. Te Puke Sports Development beat Rangataua 40-24, with Te Puna getting past Whakarewarewa 31-19. Colts teams to bank the win points on offer were Te Puke Sports, Mount Maunganui and Greerton Marist. The tussle between two former Baywide contenders saw Rangiuru post a 20-12 win over Arataki in the WBOPRS Championship title race. Katikati were too strong for Papamoa, winning 38-7, while Eastern Districts beat the combined Judea/Matakana Island team 35-5. Jordan Cup 2025 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy) 2024 Holder – Tauranga Sports Round One (22 March) Greerton Marist 49 Tauranga Sports 10 Round Two (29 March) Te Puna 24 Greerton Marist 22 Round Three (5 April) Te Puna the bye Round Four (12 April) Tauranga Sports 42 Te Puna 36 (HT 22-17) Round Five (26 April) Te Puke Sports 51 Tauranga Sports 21 Round Six (3 May) Te Puke Sports 28 Te Puna 19 Round Seven (10 May) Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5 Next Challenge 24 May – Te Puke Sports v Mount Maunganui, Blake Park BOPRU/WBOPRS Rugby Results 10 May 2025 Baywide Premier: Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5, Whakarewarewa 38 Te Puna 29, Mount Maunganui 33 Tauranga Sports 27 Greerton Marist the bye. Points Table (Provisional) Whakarewarewa 28, Te Puke Sports 26, Te Puna 19, Greerton Marist 17, Mount Maunganui 11, Tauranga Sports 10, Rangataua 0. Baywide Development: Te Puke Sports 40 Rangataua 24, Te Puna 31 Whakarewarewa 19, Mount Maunganui 55 Tauranga Sports 55-14. Baywide Colts: Te Puke Sports 76 Taupo 19, Mount Maunganui 65 Papamoa 14, Greerton Marist 31 Marist St Michael's 14, Tauranga Sports v Te Teko no result posted.
NZ Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty club rugby: Mount Maunganui secures Battle of the Bridge
Te Puke Sports cemented second place in the title race behind Whakarewarewa when they went on a try-scoring blitz against Rangataua, at Pirates headquarters. Pirates No 8 Grady Forbes scored three tries in six minutes to set the platform for the Te Puke Sports 81-5 victory, with Kolinio Gonebale also dotting the ball down three times. The early game at the Tauranga Domain was close at half time, with Mount Maunganui Development holding a narrow lead over their Tauranga Sports counterparts. The visitors cut loose in the second spell to post a 55-14 win. Te Puke Sports Development beat Rangataua 40-24, with Te Puna getting past Whakarewarewa 31-19. Colts teams to bank the win points on offer were Te Puke Sports, Mount Maunganui and Greerton Marist. The tussle between two former Baywide contenders saw Rangiuru post a 20-12 win over Arataki in the WBOPRS Championship title race. Katikati were too strong for Papamoa, winning 38-7, while Eastern Districts beat the combined Judea/Matakana Island team 35-5. Jordan Cup 2025 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy) 2024 Holder – Tauranga Sports Round One (22 March) Greerton Marist 49 Tauranga Sports 10 Round Two (29 March) Te Puna 24 Greerton Marist 22 Round Three (5 April) Te Puna the bye Round Four (12 April) Tauranga Sports 42 Te Puna 36 (HT 22-17) Round Five (26 April) Te Puke Sports 51 Tauranga Sports 21 Round Six (3 May) Te Puke Sports 28 Te Puna 19 Round Seven (10 May) Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5 Next Challenge 24 May – Te Puke Sports v Mount Maunganui, Blake Park BOPRU/WBOPRS Rugby Results 10 May 2025 Baywide Premier: Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5, Whakarewarewa 31 Te Puna 29, Mount Maunganui 31 Tauranga Sports 27 (score to be confirmed from BOPRU website) Greerton Marist the bye. Points Table (Provisional) Whakarewarewa 28, Te Puke Sports 26, Te Puna 19, Greerton Marist 17, Mount Maunganui 11, Tauranga Sports 10, Rangataua 0. Baywide Development: Te Puke Sports 40 Rangataua 24, Te Puna 31 Whakarewarewa 19, Mount Maunganui 55 Tauranga Sports 55-14. Baywide Colts: Te Puke Sports 76 Taupo 19, Mount Maunganui 65 Papamoa 14, Greerton Marist 31 Marist St Michael's 14, Tauranga Sports v Te Teko no result posted. All draws and points tables can be found at
