Ngā Mokopuna Redevelopment Breaks Ground, Boosting Kaupapa Māori Education

Education Minister Erica Stanford says the event marks a major turning point for the kura and its whānau, unlocking a redevelopment many in the community have been waiting years to see realised.

Work is officially moving ahead on the long-awaited redevelopment of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna in Wellington, following a whakatō mauri ceremony held at the kura this morning.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says the event marks a major turning point for the kura and its whānau, unlocking a redevelopment many in the community have been waiting years to see realised.

“Today is a significant milestone for Ngā Mokopuna and its community,” Ms Stanford says.“This redevelopment recognises the importance of kaupapa Māori education and ensures tamariki have learning environments that reflect their aspirations, culture, and future growth.”

Approved in May 2025, the project will deliver major renewals to teaching and learning spaces at the kura. Ngā Mokopuna is one of three kura across Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Porirua, and the upgrade is designed to support its growing roll and long-term development.

The redevelopment will replace existing classrooms with two new teaching blocks, delivering a total of 16 modern classrooms. Work is now transitioning from enabling works into full construction, with classroom completion scheduled for Term 2, 2027. A new gymnasium will be constructed as the next stage of the project.

“Every child deserves to learn in warm, dry, safe, and modern classrooms,” Ms Stanford says.“This investment reflects our commitment to building for the future and ensuring Māori medium and kaupapa Māori education is properly supported.”

The Ngā Mokopuna project is part of a $50 million Budget 2025 investment to deliver up to 50 new classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori education nationwide. The Government has also recently prioritised redevelopment for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou in Gisborne.

Beyond bricks and mortar, the redevelopment sits within a broader programme of targeted investment aimed at strengthening kaupapa Māori education pathways, including new curriculum resources, teacher training, digital learning initiatives, and sector-wide capability support.

Ms Stanford says the Government’s focus is on turning long-standing commitments into visible progress on the ground.

“This redevelopment is long overdue, and it’s exciting to see construction about to begin,” she says.“It’s a clear signal to kura, kaiako, and whānau that kaupapa Māori education is valued and that we are backing it with real investment.”

Call to action for the sector

The Ministry of Education encourages kura and Māori medium education providers with growing rolls or infrastructure pressures to engage early, as further stages of the Māori medium and kaupapa Māori infrastructure programme continue to roll out nationwide.