Iwi-Led Charter School ‘Kura Toa’ to Open in 2026 for Māori Students in Porirua

A new iwi-led charter school aimed at transforming educational outcomes for Māori students will open in Porirua in Term 3, 2026, Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced.

The school, Kura Toa, will serve students in Years 7–13 and is being positioned as a flagship example of how community-led innovation can address long-standing inequities in New Zealand’s education system.

Targeting Persistent Achievement Gaps

The announcement comes amid stark disparities in educational outcomes for Māori learners in the Wellington region.

Recent data highlights the scale of the challenge:

• 28.5% of Māori students in Porirua leave school without NCEA Level 1, compared to 17.8% across all students in Wellington

• Only 32.9% of Māori students achieve NCEA Level 3 or higher, versus 43.8% region-wide

• Māori students are referred to attendance services at a rate of 23 per 1,000, nearly double the regional average of 12.8

• By age 17, just 66.2% of Māori students remain in school, compared to 79.1% overall

Seymour said these figures underscore the need for new approaches.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that means recognising that one size does not fit all. Kura Toa is about delivering education in a way that meets the specific needs of its students,” he said.

Iwi-Led Model Anchored in Culture and Community

Kura Toa will be led by Ngāti Toa, reflecting a long-standing aspiration by the iwi to design and deliver education grounded in cultural identity and community values.

Two key iwi organisations will support the school:

• Puna Mātauranga – Ngāti Toa’s education hub, which has delivered services to whānau for over a decade

• Te Pikau o te Rangi – a tailored learner support service focused on strengthening student wellbeing and engagement

Together, these entities will create a wraparound support system for students and families, extending learning beyond the classroom.

Holistic Wellbeing Through ‘Mauriora’ Framework

A central feature of Kura Toa will be its adoption of the Mauriora wellbeing framework, an iwi-based model that tracks and supports students across four key dimensions:

• Physical wellbeing

• Mental health

• Cultural identity

• Social development

This approach ensures that pastoral care is not an add-on, but a core part of the school’s educational model—designed to prevent students from “falling through the gaps.”

Real-World Learning and Career Pathways

Kura Toa will also integrate industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to connect classroom education with real-world careers.

These “live learning” experiences are expected to:

• Increase student engagement

• Provide clearer pathways into employment or further education

• Align learning with local economic opportunities

Charter School Model: Flexibility with Accountability

The school will operate under New Zealand’s charter school framework, which provides:

• The same per-student funding as state schools

• Greater flexibility in curriculum and delivery

• Stricter accountability for student outcomes

Seymour described the model as a proven formula for innovation.

“The charter school equation is simple: equal funding, greater flexibility, and stronger accountability—delivering better results for students,” he said.

Part of a Growing National Network

Kura Toa will be one of 21 charter schools set to open in 2026, following a competitive selection process in which 52 applications were assessed by the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board.

The Government has indicated that:

• More charter schools are expected to be announced later this year

• Some existing state and state-integrated schools may transition to charter status

“This is just the beginning,” Seymour said. “We want to see more communities stepping forward with innovative ideas to improve education outcomes.”

A New Education Ecosystem for Māori Success

Beyond being a standalone school, Kura Toa represents a broader effort to build an integrated education ecosystem—linking cultural identity, academic achievement, and future pathways.

Backed by iwi leadership and data-driven design, the initiative aims to provide Māori students with a stronger foundation for success—both in education and beyond.