Te Kura O Matapihi

Welcome to Te Kura o Matapihi, a unique educational institution located in Tauranga, New Zealand. Situated on Matapihi Road, our establishment is more than just a school; it is a point of interest and a hub of learning for our community.

Steeped in rich cultural heritage, Te Kura o Matapihi is deeply connected to the local area. Our mountain, Mauao, overlooks us, while the waka Mataatua and the moana Tauranga surround us. We are proud to be associated with the Ngāi Tūkairangi, Ngāti Kuku, and Ngāti Tapu hapū, and our marae include Whareroa, Hungahungatoroa, and Waikari, with Ngāi Te Rangi as our iwi.

Founded in 1913, Te Kura o Matapihi is a Kura ā Iwi, Kura Kaupapa Māori state-funded school that caters to students from new entrants to Year 8. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to providing education for the Matapihi Community.

As a rural school, we offer a quality immersion education to approximately 200 tamariki (children). The majority of our students have ties to the three main marae in the area, namely Waikari Marae, Hungahungatoroa Marae, and Whareroa Marae. While 80% of our students identify as Ngai Te Rangi, the remaining 20% have affiliations with other iwi within Aotearoa.

Our location, just 7km from Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, allows us to combine the best of both rural and urban education. We take pride in our strong community involvement and the goodwill that surrounds our institution.

At Te Kura o Matapihi, our curriculum is taught in Te Reo Māori total immersion Level 1 for Year 1 to Year 8 classes. Additionally, our Year 5-8 students participate in English classes for one hour, four days a week. With ten classes, a Te Reo Pākehā classroom, and a Digi Classroom, we provide a well-rounded and modern learning environment.

We welcome you, the people of New Zealand, to come and experience our unique kura. Whether you are a visitor or a member of our community, we invite you to join us on this educational journey. For postal correspondence, please reach us at 398 Matapihi Road RD 5, Tauranga, 3175.