Ōtaki maara cluster

Ōtaki is a town of 7,000 on one side the Taraura ranges, the other, Kapiti Island and the sea,  through our small gardening group formed informerly over the last three years, we have an agreed statement  which supports our aim:

‘ all children regardless of their educational preference will have access to a gardening curriculum in Ōtaki”

Our point of difference is that we have in our town  Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa, the māori university, whose philosophy underpins some of our teachings.

In our town there is:

-        One mainstream college
-        One kura kaupapa māori ( all lessons taught in te reo maori from 5yrs – 17yrs)
-        One kura a iwi ( all lessons taught in te reo maori from 5yrs – 17yrs)
-        Two primary schools ( both with immersion units)
-        Three kohanga reo ( maori language nests for under 5’s)
-        One kindy leading our way with environmental  sustainable education
-        One playcentre
-        Two early childhood centres

We are far from satisfied, and not suggesting we are getting it right, however, take great inspiration from the edible schoolyard movement.