Frontline - Kura Kaupapa

The aim of the kura kaupapa Māori is not only the teaching of the Māori language, but to provide an education for Māori that is by Māori, for Māori and in Māori.

– Reporter Ross Stevens

They’ve taught us we can do anything we want, I know that now, so when I grow up I know what I want to be, what I want to do and how I’m going to achieve it.

– Kura kuapapa student Hoani Ashby

Kura kaupapa Māori began like kōhanga reo, as a cry from the heart from the Māori people to save their own language. And it was not happening so we had to do it ourselves.

– Hoani Waititi Marae Chairman Sir Pita Sharples

They stand out. They’re confident, they’re articulate. In class they're able to handle the demands of the Pākehā curriculum without losing any of their essential Māori-ness.

– Henderson High School principal Ian Mitchell on visiting kura kaupapa students

We're producing a kind of super kid here. A kid that will get out and stand up for their rights but will introduce new options to our New Zealand way of life which we haven't even begun to think about.

– Hoani Waititi Marae Chairman Sir Pita Sharples