Te Okuroa Drive School (Proposed opening date: 2022-01-01)

Deeply Concerned About Educational and Cultural Safety at Te Manawa o Papamoa

Our experience with Te Manawa o Papamoa was one of the most disappointing we've ever had in education. My daughter completed an entire year in Year 0 and left without even learning how to write the first letter of her name. The lack of structured learning, support, and basic teaching fundamentals was alarming.

Worse still, we’ve seen and heard multiple accounts of children who started off confident and capable, only to fall significantly behind—some even being placed a year below their expected level after attending this school. That’s not a “learning journey,” that’s regression.

The leadership culture also raises serious red flags. We were treated with clear disrespect by office staff, and when this was raised, we were met with gaslighting from leadership rather than accountability. To add insult to injury, the same staff member was publicly rewarded in a school assembly just two weeks later—sending a message that mistreatment of whānau will be endorsed, not corrected.

This school may present well on paper, but the reality for many families—particularly those expecting culturally safe, academically sound, and respectful engagement, is far from it.

I would not recommend this school to any whānau wanting to see their tamariki thrive.

Open and overcrowded classrooms. The good kids are dragged down by others with nothing done about it from management.
Teachers are nice to your face but then talk negatively behind your back.