Our Kinohaku

   

The History of Kinohaku School : rooted in heritage, growing in the heart of the King Country

Kinohaku School has stood as a pillar of our rural community for over a century. Overlooking the southern shores of the Kāwhia Harbour, our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a repository of stories, a gathering place for families, and a gateway to the unique history of the Waitomo District.

Our Namesake and Origins
The name Kinohaku carries immense mana. It honors the 17th-century Māori ancestor Kinohaku, a daughter of Rereahu and a prominent figure in the Ngāti Maniapoto iwi. The school sits on land deeply connected to her descendants, and we pride ourselves on maintaining a respect for the tikanga and te reo that have shaped this region for generations.

Over 100 Years of Learning
The school first opened its doors in 1907, following the arrival of the first European settlers in the area around 1902. Since then, we have celebrated major milestones including our Golden Jubilee in 1957, our 75th Jubilee in 1982, and our Centenary in 2007—marking over 100 years of continuous education.

A Living Connection to the Past
The doors of Kinohaku School are always open to those who played in these grouhds in years gone by. We frequently welcome back past pupils who return to the grounds to reminisce about their school days. These visits remind our current students that they are part of a long, proud lineage of learners.

Modern Learning and Digital Horizons
While we are proud of our rural setting, we are excited by the way digital resources allow us to access the wider world. We take a structured and careful approach to technology, ensuring our students use digital tools responsibly. By integrating these resources into our daily routines, we accelerate learning in literacy and numeracy, while giving our tamariki the ability to research and explore global topics from right here in the King Country.

While we are a remote school, we are supported incredibly well by the Ministry of Education. Advisors and specialists regularly visit us to collaborate and educate. Our curriculum and resources are aligned with current requirements, and you will be regularly updated with current assessment results and insights into your child's learning. 

Learning Beyond the Classroom
We believe in a well-rounded education that connects our students to the wider region:

Fortnightly Tech: Our senior students travel to Ōtorohanga South School every two weeks for technology sessions, gaining access to specialised skills and equipment.
Kaitiakitanga: We take our roles as kaitiaki (guardians and caretakers of the land) seriously. With the help of local experts and specialists, our students lead projects that protect and nurture our local environment.

Flying High Project : We are absolutely delighted to have been selected for this amazing initiative. This aligns so well with the results of our last community enquiry - mental health and wellbeing is so important to our parents/whanau, caregivers and community when it comes to our tamariki. This programme will be running for Terms 1 and 2 in 2026. 

Mitey : in Term 3 of 2026 we will be beginning our journey with The Sir John Kirwan Foundation : Mitey. This is an evidence based programme to support mental health in schools. It takes a village to raise mentally thriving children. That's why Mitey takes a school wide approach to mental wellbeing. Every part of the Mitey journey brings together teachers, staff and communities around one common goal – mentally thriving children. 

The Heart of the Community
As a rural school, we are the "community lounge" for our district. We take great pride in our local traditions and active participation in regional events:

• Stock Day : our students showcase their hard work here, with many qualifying to represent our school at Group Day in Ōtorohanga.
• Marokopa Sports Day : a true community event where Kinohaku spirit shines. This is a great family day out, where we can be found running the kitchen and providing kai for a day of fun. 
• Interschool athletics : this is a day held at Kawhia School where we get to see our friends and test ourselves!
• Cross country : we visit Hauturu School each year to run cross country with surrounding schools and friends.
• Kapa haka : Whaea Karen Bishop leads our kapa haka initiative and we are looking forward to continuing our journey with her in 2026 

Community Gatherings: From cooking kai in our kitchen to hosting community seasonal celebrations, the school remains a vibrant social hub for families and neighbors. We regularly run short courses and workshops for our community and if you have an idea or a skill that you'd like to share, please get in touch. We will happily support you!

School Trips : we make sure that our school trips are always based in learning, with particular regard to our children's needs and our local environment and history. We have some exciting things coming up in 2026 - as a small school we are able to do things that perhaps larger schools couldn't, so get in touch to find out more.