Kāhui Whakaako
Posted on 11 December, 2015
This group of leaders from eight schools makes up one of two advisory groups in Kia Eke Panuku. These schools have all been highly effective in enabling Māori students to enjoy and achieve educational success as Māori. The name establishes this as a group (kāhui) who wish to contribute to and engage in on-going learning (whakaako). This establishes them as a platform for spreading support to other schools in delivering the kaupapa of Ka Hikitia.
Bruce Ritchie, ex-Principal of Massey High School, chairs the Kāhui Whakaako.
Schools currently in this group include:
- William Colenso College
- Flaxmere College
- Queen Charlotte College
- Kerikeri High School
- Rotorua Boys’ High School
- James Hargest College
- Naenae College
- Kelston Girls' College
Their first meeting identified increasing literacy achievement as a priority for their attention. This resulted in a literacy network being established to trial the sharing of resources and information across schools.
At a second meeting, held this November, the group agreed that the resources developed to date had greatly increased understandings and clarified what schools need to do. A take home message was that, although Kia Eke Panuku has seen some short term advances, the kaupapa demands a long term and ongoing commitment.
This meeting was attended by a member of the Academic Experts group, Professor Wally Penetito, who shared 
with us the following whakataukī:
He iti kōpara pioi ana te tihi o te kahikatea
The little bellbird alighting on the tip of the kahikatea (can cause it to sway)
Professor Penetito likened Kia Eke Panuku to he iti kōpara causing the kahikatea (the school system) to sway. Indeed, a message for us all to live up to.