Shane and the other four principals from the Hereora Cluster are in Papakura staying on the Marae ...

The Maori Achievement Collaborative is a national programme for Principals and School Leaders which aims to develop cultural understandings in real contexts. It challenges all members on many fronts. We have been part of this programme since 2016 and it has helped change the practice in our school over the last 18 months.

On Wednesday, we were all welcomed to Papakura Marae with a powhiri. The rest of the day was about being immersed in the historical events of the Taranaki and Waikato regions. 

This morning we were awoken in the wharenui by a beautiful morning karakia at 4:40am. The day promises to be quite exceptional! We leave at 7am on a bus hikoi, with the destination being Turangawaewae in Ngāruawāhia the home of the Kingitanga movement. On the way we are visiting many sites of cultural significance. I am expecting quite an emotional day.