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Supporting excellence for our tamariki
A long-term commitment to support the revitalisation of te reo Māori within our rohe is strengthened, with Te Pou Tiringa signing a long-term lease confirming Whatu Matarūrū as the new home for Te Kōpae Piripono.
Te Pou Tiringa is the governing entity for Te Kōpae Piripono, a kaupapa Māori immersion puna reo.
In 2023, Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa purchased Henwood Kindergarten, a 1.7 acre fit-forpurpose private kindergarten. Puketapu Hapū renamed the site Whatu Matarūrū, honouring a large historical pā site located not far from the puna reo.
Whatu Matarūrū includes two classrooms, extensive outdoor play areas which include fruit trees and places for tamariki to explore. There are also buildings and space to manaaki manuhiri, tautoko whānau and for office administration. Tamariki are enjoying participating alongside their whānau and kaitiaki.
“The whānau of Te Kōpae Piripono is absolutely delighted and humbled to receive the support of Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa,” says Aroaro Tamati, Tumukāuru/Director of Te Kōpae Piripono.
“Te Kōpae Piripono had been searching for a permanent home for more than 10 years, after being housed in temporary premises at Marfell School following the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes. Their previous home at Otumaikuku (the old Barrett Street Hospital) had been deemed an earthquake risk.”
“Our new home at Whatu Matarūrū is stunning! It is an expansive site and has a beautiful mauri. We are so grateful to Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa. We now have a place where tamariki and whānau can participate, develop and belong within a kaupapa whānau and fully immersed te reo Māori environment.”
“Whatu Matarūrū offers a whole range of opportunities to support us in our aims to revitalise Taranaki reo, which is our birthright, and to foster Taranaki Māori community.”
