Kura Whakaritenga | About Us

Ō Mātou Kura
Our School

Learn about who we are, what we stand for, and the people who make TWAR a special place to learn.

Tō Mātou Kura | About

Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua

Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua (TWAR) is situated in Ranana on Te Awa o Whanganui, 62 km from Whanganui. We are an Area Composite kura (Tau 1–13) with students from Whanganui to Pipiriki and everywhere in between — a kura-ā-iwi sitting proudly within the rohe of Tamaupoko, and our connection to this place shapes everything we do.

Our name, Te Wainui-ā-Rua, reflects our deep relationship with the Whanganui River and the people of this region. We believe that knowing where you come from gives you the confidence to go anywhere.

Tamariki at Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua

Pitopito Kōrero | Our Story

How our kura came to be

In 1949, the original Rānana School was opened. In 2006, an EDI — Educational Development Initiative — between the local Ministry of Education and Whanganui Iwi occurred, where two kura, Pipiriki and Parikino, were closed and all students and resources were amalgamated into one kura. From Rānana School came Whanganui Awa School, which was then renamed Te Wainui-ā-Rua. In 2021, we changed the name again to Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua.

In 2022, our kura was privileged to be welcomed into Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi. In 2024, our kura reclassified to include Year 9 and 10 students, and in 2025 we extended it to include Year 11–13 students.

Vision & Values

Te Aronga Whakamua

Our vision is to nurture confident, curious, and culturally grounded tamariki who are well-equipped for the future and proud of who they are.

Whanaungatanga
Relationships

We build strong, caring relationships between tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. Connection and belonging come first.

Manaakitanga
Care & Respect

We look after each other with kindness and respect — our own wellbeing, the wellbeing of others, and the environment around us.

Ako
Learning Together

We believe that learning flows both ways. Our kaiako are learners too, and we grow together every day.

Turangawaewae
Sense of Place

We are rooted in this rohe. Our connection to the Whanganui River and the land shapes our identity and our learning.

Kia tū rangatira ai
Excellence

We encourage every tamariki to strive for their personal best — academically, creatively, and as a person.

Te Reo Māori
Language & Identity

Te reo Māori is a taonga. We nurture its use and celebrate it as a living, everyday language in our kura.

Ngā Kaiārahi | Our Team

Leadership & Staff

Our kura is led by a dedicated team of educators and administrators who are passionate about tamariki and their whānau. To get in touch with any member of our team, please contact the school office.

Tumuaki | Principal
Marie Haira
Tumuaki Kairiwhi | Relieving Principal
Tia Poutini-Lawrence
Kaiako | Teacher
Lana Poutini
Kaiako | Teacher
Arcadia Tarawa
Kaiako | Teacher
Awerangi Te Weri
Kaiako | Teacher
Piwhara Mateparae
Kaiako | Teacher
Te Uira Te Weri
Kaiako | Teacher
Mama Patea
Kaiwhakahaere | Administrator
Shayna Hough
Kaiāwhina & Kaitaraiwa | Teacher Aide & Pahi Driver
Haretini Wakefield
Kaitiaki | Caretaker
Jorell Poutini
Kaitaraiwa | Pahi Driver
Sonny Ranginui
Kaitiaki | Cleaner
Zaraiya Hough
Ringawera | School Lunches Cook
Trish Hough
Tumu o te Poari | Presiding Member
Seletar Taputoro

To contact a staff member, please call the school office on 06 342 8123 or email office@tewainuiarua.school.nz.

Ngā Wāhi | Facilities

Our Learning Environment

Our kura offers a warm, well-resourced learning environment with spaces designed to support both structured and self-directed learning. We are proud of our facilities and work hard to ensure they are safe, clean, and welcoming for all tamariki and whānau.

Learning at the kura Learning at the kura Life at the kura Kura grounds and activities

Ūnifōmu | Uniform

School Uniform

Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua has a school uniform that reflects our identity and values. All students are expected to wear the uniform during school hours.

Where to purchase

Please contact the school office on 06 342 8123 for current uniform details and where to purchase.

Akoranga | Learning & Culture

Learning in two worlds

At TWAR, learning happens in both te reo Māori and English. Our Māori programme is carefully designed to give tamariki the skills and confidence to thrive in both languages and both worlds.

Our kaupapa is grounded in the values and traditions of the tangata whenua of this rohe, and we weave te ao Māori — the Māori world view — through all that we do, from the way we greet each other in the morning to the stories and ideas we explore in class.

This doesn't mean you need to speak te reo Māori to be part of our community. It means we welcome all whānau into a space where our language and culture are celebrated, not hidden.

Bilingual learning and cultural activity at the kura