Whānau Āwhina

Ka hikitia has four prongs or pou that support our ākonga to succeed as Māori here at EGGS:

• Tangata Whenuatanga
• Wānanga
• Manaakitanga
• Whanaungatanga

We know that an essential component of Māori success is through providing opportunities to engage with language, identity and culture. Knowing where our ākonga come from and building on what they bring with them is important. The other essential component of Māori success is maintaining a strong partnership between the School, whānau and iwi with the student placed at the centre of that partnership.

Whānau Āwhina is an opportunity for parents and community members who are interested in supporting Māori students and in promoting tikanga and Te Reo Māori in the wider school to come together. This group is chaired by a parent and meets once a term.

Otene Hopa, our school Kaumātua, has tribal affiliation to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and is a member of the kāhui taumata. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience, and mana to Epsom Girls Grammar School.

Otene is the National Cultural Lead at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he provides guidance on tikanga and cultural leadership, and he is also a tutor with the renowned Hātea Kapa Haka. His expertise spans both corporate and cultural spheres, and he is widely respected for his ability to connect people and strengthen partnerships.