Pillars
Our Vision & Aspirations
At Tai Wānanga, our vision is to empower our taiohi (young people) to embrace their full potential and lead the advancement of Māori. This vision is encapsulated by three core principles: Kia tū, Kia ora, and Kia Māori.
Our Core Vision: Kia tū, Kia ora, Kia Māori
Kia tū (Achievement and leadership):
Kia ora (Healthy in mind, body and spirit):
Kia Māori (Being Māori):
Incubating Talent: Our Culture of Excellence
We cultivate an environment designed for success, which we call our “culture of incubation,” built on four guiding values:
- Tai nui (Purpose): Fostering a culture of high expectations and clear direction.
- Tai manawa (Inspiration): Creating a place where students are inspired to learn and grow.
- Tai kaha (Perspiration): Valuing hard work, effort, and discipline as the path to mastery.
- Tai Ariki (Achievement): Maintaining a sharp focus on achieving goals and celebrating success.
Tai Wānanga is committed to ensuring our students are confident, healthy in body, mind and spirit, and achieving high success as Māori.
Preparing for the 21st Century
We acknowledge the words of Sir Mason Durie, who speaks to the essential qualities our students must possess to thrive in a high-tech, inconsistent, and ever-changing world. Our students will be:
- Equipped to contribute to and benefit from a changing environment.
- Sufficiently skilled to understand, negotiate, and shape an inconsistent world.
- Prepared for living, working, and prospering in a high-tech society.
- Passionate about learning, excited by discovery, and undaunted by change.
We Expect Our Taiohi to Embody
Our students will be caring, resilient, and well-balanced individuals who are:
- Caring, community conscious, and good citizens.
- Respectful of themselves, the environment, and the actions and views of others.
- Fit, healthy, and happy.
- Self-responsible and self-managing.
- Self-directed learners committed to lifelong learning.
- Honest and humble.
Kia ora – Health and Wellbeing
Our students will be caring, resilient, and well-balanced individuals who are:
- Caring, community conscious, and good citizens.
- Respectful of themselves, the environment, and the actions and views of others.
- Fit, healthy, and happy.
- Self-responsible and self-managing.
- Self-directed learners committed to lifelong learning.
- Honest and humble.
Kia Māori – Proud to be Māori
Our students will be culturally strong, confident, and grounded in their identity, being:
- Proud of their identity and who they represent.
- Culturally strong and confident to engage in kaupapa Māori.
- Understanding the significance of their whakapapa, heritage, and culture.
