Our kāhui ako recognises the importance of the shared cultural narrative of our central city. We're committed to weaving through the narrative in our work towards our achievement challenges.

We acknowledge Te Ngāi Tuahuriri as holding manawhenua over the land of this area. Their pepeha recognises their takiwa and whakapapa:
Ko Maungatere te maunga
Our mountain, Maungatere (Mount Grey) stands above us;

Ko Waimakariri, ko Rakahuri nga awa
Our rivers – the Waimakariri and Rakahuri (the Ashley) – flow below;

Ko Tuahuriri te tangata
Tuahuriri is our ancestor.

Our kāhui ako also acknowledges the connections and values held by current Ngāi Tahu generations who have a cultural responsibility to pass on this place to future generations in better condition than it is today. The concepts of greening the centre of Ōtautahi, the turangwaewae for our kāhui, embracing and improving the health of the water and the river, and a strong sustainability focus are reflected in our second achievement challenge focused on place-based learning.