Rosy future for Te Matai school

One small local school this year celebrates its 125th anniversary after overcoming huge odds.

The school, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Matai, until recently a full-immersion Maori school in Waitangi, south of Te Puke, had shrunk to a roll of just nine students in 2010 and was almost $100,000 in debt.

But since its academic direction changed that year, with the introduction of a new board of trustees, the school has experienced a renaissance - it now has 51 pupils and is debt-free.

Bryce Kihirini, treasurer of the school board, ED doctor at Tauranga Hospital and former Te Matai student, said the school has gone through many obstacles in its 125-year history - including a location move and two world wars.

And in 1996, the school, classed as a Maori Rural School by the Ministry of Education, was forced to change from a mixed-language school to full-immersion Maori. As a result of the change, over the next 14 years the school lost about 90 per cent of its 100 pupils.

"It was basically a story of woe and destruction," Dr Kihirini said. "They employed one principal who was a junior teacher. The school was put into annual ERO reports and they had a statutory commissioner installed. [By] 2010 the school only had nine children ... had it got to seven the school would have shut. That would've been sad."

Parents felt their children were being disadvantaged leaving school speaking only Maori and not being able to read English. Pupils were removed to attend other schools in the area.

In 2010, however, with the introduction of a new board of trustees, the school got back on track. New teachers were hired and almost $100,000 of debt has now been paid off.

"The iwi shoulder-tapped three of us. We were appointed to the board, we were co-opted. It was almost like, 'congratulations, you're the next captain of the Titanic'.

"[But] all historical debts have been settled, the statutory commissioner left in the middle of last year, and now we have 51 students. It's in a strong position, financially and with its roll," Dr Kihirini said.

The school recently held a meeting with parents and decided on some changes, including a name change. It will become known as Te Matai - Te Kura A-iwi o Tapuika. And English is now a compulsory subject.

The roll continues to grow. Two classrooms are currently in use, but with the growth the school plans to re-commission its other two classes too.

It is currently seeking to fill additional teaching spots.

Te Matai school has survived its share of difficulties. It's come out the other side ready for another 125 years.

"I don't think it's going to fall off."