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Regional | Kura Kaupapa Māori

Te Kura o Matapihi celebrates 100th anniversary

Over the weekend, Te Kura o Matapihi celebrated its 100th anniversary.

While it's been 100 years of education for the families of Matapihi in Tauranga, the hope is for another 100 years of education to carry on.

Matapihi's principal Tui Rollenstone says, "The community and elders continue to support the teachers here, and the teachers support the children as they make up the families from the wider community of Tauranga."

Matapihi Native School opened in 1913, and has since turned into a bilingual school catering from Year 1 to Year 8 students. The school roll sits between 50 and 60 pupils.

According to Leone Walker (Ngati Ranginui/ Ngai Te Rangi), "The school is the heartbeat of the community.  The language of the school, the voice of the principal, the board of trustees and families, all comes from the school."

This weekend, the community running the celebrations hope to compile a book of memories from past students, elders and teachers.

In their last ERO report, Te Kura o Matapihi received top marks, encouraging the school to continue its push for Māori achievement.