[ TE KURA OAKURA / OAKURA SCHOOL ]

Our Vision

‘Be our Best'

At Oakura School, we aspire to grow resilient, connected learners who embrace their roles as kaitiaki of our world. Guided by Manawanui, we persevere through challenges, striving for excellence and supporting one another to succeed. Through Whānaungatanga, we strengthen relationships, foster belonging, and celebrate the power of collaboration within our school and community. Rooted in Kaitiakitanga, we take responsibility for our environment and resources, instilling a deep sense of care and guardianship for future generations. Together, we inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning that empowers tamariki to thrive in an ever-changing world.


[ OUR VALUES / VISUAL REPRESENTATION ]

Manawanui (Determination)
Persevering through challenges and supporting each other to succeed. It’s about learning and growing through effort, making progress, and never giving up.


  • Manawanui (Determination/Resilience)

    At Oakura School, Manawanui represents the unwavering commitment to personal and collective  learning and growth. It is about facing challenges head-on with courage and resilience, striving to achieve personal bests, and uplifting others along the way. Manawanui is seen in the persistence to master new skills, the grit to overcome obstacles, and the encouragement shared among peers to succeed together. It’s about fostering a culture where mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, and giving up is never an option.



  • PĀTIKI

    This pattern is likened to the flounder, which portrays favourable times and abundance through perseverance. Pātiki is a familiar pattern on kete, whariki, tatua and taniko. Pātiki speaks to the hard work and patience it takes to gather flounder to feed and support one’s tribe, and for that tribe to thrive. The flounder is also a symbol of hospitality. Pātiki or pātikitiki (flounder) designs are based on the lozenge or diamond shape of the flounder fish. They can be quite varied within the basic shape.

Whānaungatanga (Belonging)
Strengthening connections within our school and with our wider community, embracing the importance of whānau and collaboration.


  • Whānaungatanga (Belonging)

    Whānaungatanga at Oakura School emphasises the strength of relationships within and beyond our school. It is about building a sense of belonging where every individual feels safe, valued and connected. Whānaungatanga celebrates the ties between tamariki, staff, whānau, and our wider community, fostering a collaborative spirit in all we do. It includes reaching out to our local iwi, supporting one another in times of need, and creating spaces where voices are heard and respected. This value underpins our commitment to inclusivity, cultural diversity, and the shared responsibility to nurture a united and thriving community.


  • PURAPURA WHETU

    Speaks to connection, collaboration, and respect. It is about people and a growing community. To grow together and thrive, you must respect one another. In this design, the top star, represents Puanga. One traditional meaning of this pattern is that to survive as an iwi, a hāpu, a whānau, you must have numbers, just as the stars of the Milky Way, otherwise you may be wiped out. (Extract from Christchurch CityLibraries.)

Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship)
Taking responsibility for caring for our environment and resources, instilling a sense of duty to protect and sustain them for the future.



  • Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship)

    Kaitiakitanga at Oakura School is the shared responsibility to nurture and protect our environment and resources for future generations. It is a call to action to be mindful stewards of Papatūānuku (Earth), taking care of our surroundings, wildlife and people, with intention and respect. This value is woven into everyday life at school, from sustainable practices and conservation projects, to curriculum opportunities that deepen understanding of our role as guardians. Kaitiakitanga is about empowering our tamariki to develop a sense of pride and accountability in protecting our local whenua, awa, and moana, ensuring that our natural and cultural heritage continues to thrive.


  • TAKITORU

    Tukutuku patterns used on crossbeams, and tukutuku panels of meeting houses, that comprise of single stitches across the panel in groups of three at alternate angles -are called Takitoru. Takitoru is often described as representing three stages of the Māori Creation Story; Te Kore (the nothingness), to Te Po (the night) and Te Ao Marama (the world of light / living), or similarly Ranginui (the sky father), Papatūānuku (the earth mother) and Te Ao Marama. (Extract from the Designers Institute.) Takitoru speaks to being open and trustworthy. It promotes a two way conversation and ongoing communication.

Whāia te iti kahurangi,
ki te tūohu koe,
me he maunga teitei –
Seek the treasure you value most dearly:
if you bow your head, let it be to
a lofty mountain.

our story