Te Ao Māori

​​​​​​​Mātauranga

The concept of Mātauranga is integral to our educational philosphy, reflecting our commitment to fostering a rich, inclusive environment where knowledge, culture, and learning can thrive in harmony.


Mātauranga encompasses both Māori and wider cultural knowledge systems, and plays a crucial role in shaping well-rounded, critically thinking individuals. We are dedicated to ensuring that all staff, students, and the wider school community have access to meaningful opportunities for growth, collaboration, and cultural understanding. Through our commitment to Mātauranga, we aim to celebrate diverse perspectives, enhance academic achievement, and prepare our students to contribute to their whanau, hapu and iwi.


​​​​​​​Giving Effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Hastings Boys' High School is committed to giving effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by ensuring mātauranga Māori is integrated into every aspect of our educational framework.

We will give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by implementing an inclusive, culturally responsive learning and teaching environment that values and integrates mātauranga Māori. Through policies, partnerships, and curriculum initiatives, we will ensure educational equity and excellence for rangatahi Māori and all students.


Te Reo​​​​​​​


“Tōku reo, tōku ohooho, tōku reo, tōku whakakai mārihi”

We place great value on running a full Te Reo Māori programme that not only engages our Māori students but also gives mana to anyone wanting to learn Te Reo Māori.

With Te Reo Māori being unique to Aotearoa we take pride in being able to offer this as a full programme from Year 9 to Year 13.

We provide students with the opportunity to connect with their taha Māori in a very holistic and meaningful way. We offer the opportunity for ākonga to connect with their tīpuna, whakapapa, and Reo Māori.

We recognise that each Māori student has unique interests and aspirations, and our Reo programme is aimed at being flexible, inclusive and responsive to those needs.



Whakairo

Whakairo is an expression of Māori culture and identity.

We run a full whakairo programme that not only engages our Māori students but also acknowledges and celebrates their diverse interests and talents.

Through this programme we provide students with the opportunity to connect with their culture in a meaningful way.

By offering a full whakairo curriculum, we help build skills that extend beyond the art form itself, such as discipline, creativity, cultural pride, and a career pathway. Our programme is designed to be flexible, inclusive, and responsive to the unique interests of each Māori student. 




Te Ao Haka


Our ākonga build foundational skills based around Tāne Rore and Kapa Haka.

This is a full programme offered to all students who are wanting to follow a pathway in Māori performing arts. Ākonga will learn key elements of Haka and ‘te tū o Kahungunu’.

This programme builds knowledge of the art form through discipline, creativity, pride in Te Ao Haka, pride in being Māori, expression and pathways. This course also builds confidence in our young men through the principals and practices used in Te Ao Haka.



Kapa Haka

Kapa haka is a huge part of cultural identity within our kura.

Through our Kapa Haka group - Ngā Raukura Huia, we aim to build confidence within our ākonga through expression, discipline, foundations of haka, and Kahungunutanga.

We are actively involved in community events and promotional performances that showcase our kura and represent our Te Ao Māori to a high standard. Our kapa are involved in running pōwhiri for our kura and also promote our kura through our contributing schools performances.

We also have our combined Hastings Boys’ and Hastings Girls’ team - Te Rōpū Manu Huia - who have been top contenders in our Iwi at a regional level for many years. We use this as a form of whānaungātanga, to build and strengthen our relationship with our sister kura.




Tikanga


At Hastings Boys' High School, we are committed to providing authentic, real-world contexts for our students to engage with Tikanga Māori.

We create an environment where traditional knowledge and practices are not only respected but actively integrated into daily learning. By embedding Tikanga Māori into our curriculum and school culture, we provide our students with meaningful experiences that allow them to grow both academically and personally.

We believe that these practices offer valuable life skills, deepen cultural understanding, and empower students to navigate the world with respect and confidence. Through this commitment, we strive to create pathways for success, helping our students achieve their full potential while honoring the cultural heritage that shapes our community.