Te Whānau Kōtuku
Māori language unit
The criteria for acceptance into the unit are as follows:
Te Whānau Kōtuku is a Māori Language (Level 2 – Ministry of Education Language Level) unit that specifically caters for tamariki Te Reo Māori language.
Students who wish to enrol in Te Whānau Kōtuku at Paraparaumu School will comply with the following priorities and entry criteria. The maximum number of students that can be accommodated at any one time is currently limited to up to 70 students in Years 0-8.
Enrolment
All enrolments into the Special programme must be approved by the Principal, team Leader and classroom teacher. Students who live within the school’s home zone will be will be enrolled ahead of out of zone students.
Bilingual Learning Environment for Year 0–8
Te Whānau Kōtuku currently offers three classrooms:
There is currently a waitlist for out-of-zone enrolments for 5-year-olds. Please note that enrolments for Year 3–8 are closed for 2025 and 2026.
Both English and te reo Māori are explicitly taught, with 50% to 80% immersion in te reo Māori. A Māori worldview is integrated across all subject areas. Whānau support and participation is a key aspect of Te Whānau Kōtuku, and we expect whānau to attend one hui per term to contribute to the development of their tamaiti.
For more information about our bilingual pathway, please contact Hayley Tanga through the school office or via email.
‘Ko tōku reo tōku ohooho
Ko tōku reo tōku māpihi maurea
Ko tōku reo. Tōku kai marihi’
‘My language is my awakening
My language is my treasure
My language is my prize possession’
Te Reo me ōna Tikanga (opportunities to participate and experience)
Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga is a crucial role of Te Whānau Kōtuku. Tikanga Māori supports and guides our learning in all aspects of the curriculum.
- Haerenga ki te Marae
- Learning and being amongst the taiao
- Traditional Māori games
- Pūoro Māori
- Kapa haka
- Karakia, kōrero and waiata
- Kapa haka festival – Takiri o te Ata
