#regional: Kura Toa signals growing momentum for iwi-led education in Porirua

A new iwi-led charter school in Porirua is being positioned as part of a wider shift toward Māori control over education, with Kura Toa backed by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and led by chief executive Helmut Modlik.

The kura represents a deliberate move by Ngāti Toa to take greater responsibility for the education of its tamariki, embedding iwi values, identity and aspirations directly into the learning environment. Governance by the iwi is expected to shape not only strategic direction, but also the day-to-day experience of ākonga, ensuring teaching, curriculum and pastoral care are grounded in te ao Māori.

For Ngāti Toa, the establishment of Kura Toa reflects long-standing concerns about the ability of the mainstream education system to consistently deliver for Māori learners. While many tauira succeed, disparities in achievement, engagement and wellbeing remain persistent, prompting iwi to step forward with their own solutions.

Kura Toa is part of a growing movement of Māori charter schools emerging across the motu, designed to address these gaps through culturally anchored learning environments, stronger connections to whānau, and a focus on identity as a foundation for achievement.

Success for the kura is expected to be measured across multiple dimensions. Academic outcomes remain important, but equal weight is being placed on strengthening cultural identity, supporting hauora, and building meaningful engagement between the school and whānau. The model reflects a holistic approach to education, where wellbeing and belonging are seen as critical to long-term success.

Partnerships are also central to the kura’s development and sustainability. Collaboration with iwi, local communities, education providers and potentially industry is seen as key to creating pathways for students beyond the classroom, while ensuring the model remains responsive and future-focused.

The rise of kura like Kura Toa highlights a broader shift in thinking about education in Aotearoa – one where iwi are increasingly asserting rangatiratanga and designing systems that reflect their own values and aspirations.

As the kura prepares to open its doors, attention will be on how this iwi-led approach performs, and whether it can deliver improved outcomes for tamariki while helping to reshape the wider education landscape.