Seven akomanga, each named for a taonga of our geothermal whenua — and each a place where every tamaiti is known, stretched and supported on the road that fits them.
Ngā akomanga o te kura
From our smallest tamariki in Tau 0 to our tuakana leaving in Tau 8, learning at Whakarewarewa follows one journey with two pathways — Rūmaki and Auraki. Every classroom carries the name of a geothermal taonga of this whenua, and the stories, values and people that come with it.
Tau 0-2
Rumaki
"Ko rongo te pā, ko rongo te ao."
Named after Pōhutu — the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, which erupts every hour to heights of 300 feet.
Our tiniest learners begin their reo Māori journey here, in a safe and nurturing Māori-medium classroom guided by tikanga and the history of Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao.
Tau 0-2
Auraki
"Korotiotio’s water grumbles along like an old man. It boils extensively."
Named after Korotiotio, the boiling spring beside our kura gate.
Learning here is integrated, hands-on and interactive — fair, kind and caring — meeting every child’s unique needs and learning style through multi-sensory discovery.
Kaiako: Whaea Angelique
Tau 3-4
Rumaki
"He inga a tētahi iho tūpuna rangatira o Te Pūaha o Taniwha."
Named for the waters of Waikorohīhī — a place tied to the people of Te Pūaha o Taniwha.
Our middle years in te reo Māori, where kōrero, ahurea, tikanga, te reo Pākehā and reo rotarota are woven through every akoranga.
Tau 5-6
Auraki
"Whaiwhia te kete mātauranga — fill the basket with knowledge."
Named after Parekōhuru, the Champagne Pool — 65 metres across and 62 metres deep, its orange rim used for centuries to cook vegetables, meat and seafood.
Visible learners who take responsibility for our learning — expressing ourselves in the arts, giving things a go, and growing proud of who we are.
Tau 5-8
Akomanga Tuakana
"Ngā Pou Ako, Ngā Āhuatanga Ako, Ngā Uara."
Named after Te Hōrū, a great geyser of the past beside Pōhutu — its sinter cone still rests on the geyser flat.
Our almost-senior class and Māori-medium unit, guided by Māori principles and tikanga — where the learning process, learner dispositions and our values all come together.
Tau 7-8
Auraki
"Mau te huruhuru te manu ka rere — adorned with feathers, the bird will fly."
Named after Ngāraratuatara, whose black silica edge is likened to the spine of the tuatara — the most westerly of our alkaline springs.
Our tuakana class, where learners become collaborators, problem solvers, innovators, risk takers and self regulators — ready to leave kura and fly.
All ages
Te tautoko ako
"You’ve got the kind of creativity that could turn broccoli into a space rocket."
Named after the four Purerehua Pools — the Butterfly Pools — small and partly hidden beside the village.
Becoming independent learners: personalised one-on-one and small-group tuition in a whanaungatanga room where every learner grows at their own pace.
Our school strength
Ngā Tapuwae o Tūhourangi give meaning and relevance to Manaakitanga in Whakarewarewa School — a holistic lens on the landmarks of our whenua, woven through everything our akomanga do.
Nau mai, haere mai
The best way to choose a classroom is to stand in one. Visits are welcome any school day — come and meet our kaiako and see our tamariki in action.
