TE WHĀNAU AWAHOU

Newton Central’s first bilingual te reo Māori/English unit – the very first Māori-medium pathway at Newton Central - was established in 1993. After a rocky start, the unit flourished under the leadership of Hoana Pearson. The unit was named Whakarongo Rua – a name that served for more than decade.

In 1999 Whakarongo Rua was disbanded as the immersion pathway was developed. Then in 2006 the bilingual pathway was re-established due to demand. Reborn as Te Whānau Awahou, the unit was established under the guidance of head teacher Jess Rutherford and once again flourished.

Early members of Te Whānau Awahou share their stories below.