Principal’s Address

Term 1 2026

Kia ora koutou,

Ngā mihi o te tau hou Pakeha ki a koutou. 

Welcome & fresh start

A warm welcome back from a well deserved break that I hope was filled with great times had with whānau and friends.  I hope you’re feeling refreshed and are excited about the new year ahead.  I know I certainly am! 

We welcome three new staff, 112 new year 9 ākonga, a handful of new Year 10 to 13 ākonga and their whānau to our Mana community this year, bumping our roll up past 550 students.  Exciting growth!

We have been gifted with incredible new resources this year, from the rejuvenated E Block and our freshly painted front fence to the high-spec iPad Pros and donated digital devices for Te Urukahika. Our entire staff were also privileged to start this year with a wānanga at Takapūwāhia Marae with Ngāti Toa Rangatira.   

Welcoming Our Newest Ākonga & Week 1

We officially welcome all new ākonga and whānau with a pōwhiri at Te Mana Whenua o Ngāti Toa marae at 9:00 am this Monday 2nd February.

On Tuesday 3rd February, our Year 9s head to El Rancho in Waikanae for a three-day camp. This is a legendary way to “start with a bang,” building friendships, connctions and school spirit.

Please see our website and other social media posts for more information about Course Confirmation and other start dates and times for Years 10 to 13 throughout the week of Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th February.  Note:  Tuesday 3rd February is a Staff only day.

He Whakatau: Welcoming New Faces to the Mana Whānau

A school is only as strong as its people, and this year we are privileged to welcome three outstanding new staff members to our team.

Tinui Willing.  Mathematics & Science

We are delighted to welcome Tinui “home.” With whakapapa to Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Tinui returns to his roots after 12 years of teaching across the Waikato, Auckland, and Taranaki. On his return to the classroom at Mana, Tinui says:

“I believe that learning Science equips us all with the skills that are needed to engage with and understand the world at large. In particular, as a Tāne Māori, I want to be an example for Māori students that they can enjoy and excel in Science, and demonstrate that the Scientific AND Māori perspectives of our Taiao (Environment) both provide effective models to understand our place in this world.”

Lisa Fanueli.  Teacher Aide & Attendance Liaison

Lisa joins us in a vital dual role across Learning Support and Attendance. Multilingual in Tokelauan, Samoan, and English, Lisa brings deep community roots and a passion for student belonging.

“Malo ni. Ko toku ingoa ko Lisa Fanueli. My heart is in building the strong, authentic connections that ensure every learner feels supported, valued, and empowered to belong and succeed. ‘Ko toku tokiga e mau ai toku hikohikomaga’—My place of learning/roots is where my footsteps are held firm.”

Bena Haider.  Learning Area Head: Te Whare Ako

Bena joins us with 27 years of experience in the UK and Aotearoa. A specialist in Literacy and Special Education, Bena is dedicated to equitable learning:

“Effective teaching is about creating an environment where curiosity thrives and critical thinking is encouraged, irrespective of one’s intellectual abilities. I strive to create equitable opportunities for all learners, recognising and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalised groups.”

Strengthening Our Foundations: Staff Wānanga at Takapūwāhia Marae

While our physical spaces were being refreshed, our staff spent time grounding themselves in the history and values of our area. On Thursday, 29th January, nearly 70 of our kaiako and kaimahi attended an all day wānanga at Takapūwāhia Marae with Ngāti Toa iwi.

The day began with a moving pōwhiri, welcoming our team onto the marae. The focus of the day was whakawhanaungatanga, building and strengthening the relationships between us all. We were privileged to hear the rich pūrākau (stories and histories) of Ngāti Toa Rangatiratanga, gaining a deeper understanding of the land and the people we serve.

A significant portion of our time was dedicated to delving into the concept of Mauri Ora.This wānanga was not just about professional development, it was about enrichment. Our staff return to Kāreti o Mana eager to bring these learnings and experiences into the classroom, putting Mauri Ora into action for all of our ākonga, staff, and whānau.

Our sincere thanks to Calisa, Hera, Nirvana, Te Rauparaha, Pikau te Rangi and Ngāti Toa Rangatira for hosting our staff and sharing your invaluable knowledge.

Property & Facilities Update: Refreshing Our Learning Spaces

We are thrilled to welcome our ākonga and staff back to a campus that has undergone some significant “TLC” over the holidays. Our goal is to provide an environment that reflects the high aspirations we have for our students, and this year’s improvements are a major step in that direction.

A New Face for an Old Favourite

If you’ve driven past the school lately, you’ll have noticed our front fence looking sharp and vibrant. 

Before & After

Even more exciting is the transformation of E Block. Originally constructed in 1957, this building has stood for nearly 70 years. While it was certainly beginning to show its age, a full interior and exterior repaint has completely rejuvenated the space.

Before

After

A fresh new look for E Block—nearly 70 years old and looking better than ever for our ākonga!

Building for the Future

Our vision for the school entrance continues to evolve. We are currently in Stage 2 of the design process for our new Marae and Administration area. This project will create a welcoming heart at the front of our school.  We are working hard behind the scenes and hope to secure construction funding in the near future.

Hands-On Learning: Te Urukahika

Adjacent to our new block, Te Urukahika, you will notice a newly fenced-off construction zone. This dedicated space is for our Construction and Build School, where our Year 12 and 13 students will continue the impressive task of building two to three houses this year. Having a purpose built area allows these students to gain real world trade experience right here on site.

Industry Standard Technology

We are committed to ensuring our students have access to industry standard tools. This term, we’ve significantly upgraded our hardware across several departments using a mix of new and high quality ex-lease equipment:

• Visual Arts: Our artists now have access to 10 iPad Pros and Pencils for digital illustration, along with 15 new monitors to assist with high level design work.

• Digital Technology: We have added 25 monitors to the department, allowing students  the professional standard for coding and development.

• Computer Labs: Both Te Urukahika and E Block feature updated labs with standalone units and 50 donated devices 

Our Sincere Thanks

Projects like these are made possible through the generosity of our community and corporate partners. We would like to extend a special thank you to:

• Dulux Paint: For the kind donation of paint that has refreshed our front fence and campus borders.

• Quadrant: For the generous donation of 50 digital devices, helping us bridge the digital divide for our students

Conclusion

Next week is a busy one of preparation for the year.  We aim to ‘hit the ground running’ starting Monday 9th February with normal timetabled classes.  Please encourage your rangatahi to be on time & attend all classes.

Finally, a major theme for me, like last year, is ‘kaitiakitanga / tiaki’, where everyday from the moment students, staff, whānau and visitors walk through our gates that we…

1. care & nurture for the school environment around us,

2. care, nurture & support each other and how we talk and treat each other,

3. nurture, support & grow the knowledge, skills and precious learning of many

I encourage you to korero with your rangatahi about the above.  I believe if we all show this care and support for the environment, each other and the learning we’ll not only have ākonga growing into the best they can be but we will also become a flourishing school community.  Particularly when we’re being supported by our community with new or refreshed resources and property, including unwavering support from Ngāti Toa Rangatira whose whenua we stand upon each day.

Ngā mihi nui

Jeff Chapman 

Tumuaki | Principal

Kāreti o Mana | Mana College