Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngāhere.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that partakes of the miro tree owns the forest.
The bird that partakes on knowledge owns the world.
Celebrating Māori Culture
Māori culture is an integral and valued part of life at Whangārei Boys’ High School. We are committed to honouring te ao Māori through language, history, tikanga, design, and performance, and to ensuring our boys grow in understanding, respect, and connection to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kapa Haka holds a strong and visible place within our school. Our group has enjoyed significant success in recent years and performs regularly at the Tai Tokerau Festival and other regional and community events. We continue to aspire to excellence and leadership in this space, with a goal of returning as Northland champions. Students are also encouraged to participate in Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competitions, developing confidence, cultural knowledge, and oratory skills.
At senior level, students can engage in Māori Arts programmes that combine Māori Performing Arts standards with learning in Māori tourism and tikanga Māori. We have also introduced an exciting new course in Whakairo, allowing students to explore traditional carving and design while strengthening cultural identity and practical skills.
Te reo Māori is a core part of our curriculum. All Year 9 students take a compulsory introductory course (9MAO), providing every boy with the opportunity to build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and presenting in te reo Māori within familiar and meaningful contexts. For students with prior learning, our extended programme (9TRM) offers a year-long course designed to consolidate and extend language skills, with a stronger focus on grammar and vocabulary. This pathway supports progression into Year 10 te reo Māori and through to NCEA Level 1 and beyond.
Through these learning opportunities, we aim to ensure all students develop cultural competence, pride, and respect, grounded in the values of our kura and the rich heritage of Aotearoa.
