Our People | kaokaoroa

Meet the Heads of our Kura

Hana-Maraea Maika

Head Girl

Poutiriao Vaka

Head Boy

Tū mai awa, tū mai moana, ko koe takahia noatia e au.

Hoatu taku waka ki uta, hoatu taku waka ki tai.

Tēnei taku waka ka whakairihia.

E tū ana ki te taumata o Aorangi e tū takotako rā

Ka titiro whakararo iho ki taku iwi o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa i runga i te waka o Tākitimu

e rere ana i ngā wai karekare o Ruamahanga. Tērā te pūkohu tākiri kua tau ki runga i a Koinaki maunga e tū mahuta rā, ko ngā uri o Ngāti Porou tērā e hoe ana i te waka o Horouta

I te wai mōhinuhinu o Harataunga.

Ko Hana-Maraea Maika tenei e mihi atu nei.

As Head Girl of Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere, I am not only honoured to represent our kura, but I am also able to enjoy, thrive, and excel in the many opportunities our kura offers. The thing I value most about our kura is the high level of achievement we strive for, along with the skill and knowledge our kaiako hold and pass down to us, ensuring we are equipped to leave with success. The focus on Te Ao Māori is second to none, and the hard work and commitment shown by our kura play a significant role in shaping who we are.

Our kura upholds our three pou through every aspect of our learning, ensuring we grow in mātauranga, hākinakina, and ngā mahi a rehia. Through mātauranga, I have been challenged to achieve to a high standard, and I hope to leave knowing I gave my best and finished with excellence. Through hākinakina, I have developed resilience, discipline, and a strong sense of wellbeing. Through ngā mahi a rehia, I have strengthened my connection to my reo, tikanga, and culture, while also learning the true value of teamwork, commitment, and loyalty. These three pou have shaped who I am, and they are values I carry with me and strive to remain consistent with in everything I do.

Throughout my years of being here, I have gained so much, but most importantly, I have gained a new whanau and a deep respect for those who have shaped me into the leader I am today, at this kura and for this kura. To me, the most special and meaningful thing about Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere is that we are unapologetically Māori in every sense. Our culture, values, and identity are not only acknowledged, but celebrated and woven into every part of our learning and way of being.

Bring on 2026!

Mānawatia te tau hou pākehā rua ngahuru mā whā Mānawatia ngā hua nui o te wā

Ko toku ingoa. I am the eldest in my whanau, and my parents are Caleb Peke and Moira-ann Marsh-Peke.

He uri ahau no Raukawa, Te Aupouri, Ngati Tamatera me Ngati Paoa, Ko taku whainga matua i tenei tau kia whakatauira tika i nga uara o toku kura, o toku whānau hoki.

My journey began at Te Wharekura o te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere in 2019, when I started in Kura Waenga, in Year 6. What I love most about our kura is that it's like a whānau. Every single kaiako here has had a significant impact on who I am today. They have shown me love, dedication, and care, going above and beyond to ensure I succeed
in everything I do. Because of them, I’ve been able to envision the future I want for myself.

I also appreciated how my tuakana looked after us and inspired me in my love for kapa haka. I'm extremely grateful to my kura for introducing me to the world of kapa haka, a world I now love. From my time in Kura Waenga to now, my kapa haka journey has helped me grow into
the person I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am without my kura. This year, just like my tuakana did for me, I aim to care for and show love to every whānau member at our kura. I want to give back everything that I can to our kaiako, kura, and whānau.

While I’m not looking forward to leaving kura at the end of the year, I carry with me the words of Matua Keith: "KAOKAOROA FOR LIFE".
Nga mihi aroha e te whānau.

MEET OUR PEOPLE

Meet our Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is dedicated to removing barriers to education and to provide all students with a safe environment to learn, grow and embrace our character school through Te Reo Māori.

Arama Ngapo
Parent Representative

Tina Johnson

Parent Representative

Keith Silveira

Principal

Kyle Amopiu
Board Chairman

Greg Brown

Elected Member

April Silveira

Staff Representative

Management

Meet our Senior Management team

Our senior management team work closely together to ensure our kura runs safely and smoothly whilst striving to provide the best education possible for all tamariki that attend our kura.

Keith Silveira
Principal

Veronica Tiatoa

Assistant Principal

HOD - Kura Tuatahi

Screen Shot 2017-07-01 at 11.33.36 AM_edited.png

Tania Martin

Assistant Principal

HOD - Wharekura

April Silveira
Deputy Principal

Aaron Koopu
Associate Principal

Teachers

Meet our Teaching team

Here are our knowledgable and friendly teaching staff who are the core of our kura. We are very fortunate to have an array of teachers dedicated to nurturing all tamariki with specific learning programmes to help progress all of their learning needs.