Ako – Education
Ako Education Strategy
The Ako Education Strategy forms part of our series of strategies “Ngāti Whātua Heru Hapai”
This Education Strategy attempts to make a start to improve the education performance of our people and also to contribute, with integrity, heritage information about Ngāti Whātua to the education processes and institutions of our country. Eduction is a large and complex field that is of great significance and it is excepted that development will build from strength to strength as a result of the start.
Ngā Puna Reo/Kōhanga o Kaipara
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Waea: 09 439 0545
Address: 38 Finlayson Park Road Dargaville
Description:
Te Kohanga Reo o Te Puna o Te Reo o Takiwira is a community-based te kohanga reo catering for ages 0-5 years. The centre is licensed for up to 30 children (FTE) including up to 10 under the age of two. Te Kohanga Reo o Te Puna o Te Reo o Takiwira also offers 20 hours of free education for children over three. -
Address: 11 Hastie Lane, Kaiwaka 0573
Description:
A māori incentive play group for parents/caregivers to bring their children. The main objective of our puna is to inspire te reo māori and ahurea into young lives and parents/caregivers. This is a free kaupapa, no payment required or ECE hours are required.
Ngāti Whātua Education Grant
Applications Re-open: 1 February 2023
Education grants are available to assist students of Ngāti Whātua descent to attend a recognised boarding school or to undertake tertiary studies at university, polytechnic or private training establishment (PTE) offering fees payable for tertiary courses.
Conditions for receiving a grant requires a student:
- To be of Ngāti Whātua descent registered on the Ngāti Whātua Uri Roll
- To receive an endorsement from one of the 34 recognised Ngāti Whātua marae to which the student is affiliated.
Closing Date: All applications for the 2023 academic year must be received in this office by 5:00 pm on 31 July 2023, applications received after this date will not be processed.
For full details on the eligibility criteria, an application for education grant form is provided below;
For further enquiries, please contact the Rūnanga office at;
Phone: (09) 470 0720
Email:
PO Box 1784, Whangarei 0140

Elizabeth BanicevichI think our whanau should pursue tertiary education to be involved and actively engaged in future changes in this country. Entering now into my third year of physiotherapy at AUT in Auckland. Moving from Dargaville I have been exposed to the healthcare system and just how much of an impact can be made when the workforce is made up of more diverse, culturally competent, understanding clinicians to make positive impacts on our people to improve better health outcomes.
Attending University for me has provided greater opportunities for relationships and expanded my horizons in terms of my goals and knowing I can achieve whatever I put my mind to.
Elizabeth Banicevich daughter of Barry Banicevich (Te Uri O Hau) is one of our successful Educational Grant recipients. We would like to congratulate Elizabeth on completing her third year Bachelor of Health Science through AUT.
Ka mau te wehi!