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 berry owns the forest.
The bird that partakes of knowledge owns the world.
This whakataukī reflects our belief that learning is the pathway to opportunity, identity, and contribution. At Whangārei Boys’ High School, knowledge is not only academic. It is cultural, relational, and deeply connected to place.
Partnership with Whānau Māori
Ko Tūkuki te Rangi
Ko Tūkuki te Rangi is our Māori parents’ rōpū and plays an important role in strengthening the partnership between whānau Māori and the school. This group provides guidance, voice, and support, ensuring Māori perspectives are heard and valued in decision-making and school direction.
Through Ko Tūkuki te Rangi, we work collaboratively to support student success, cultural wellbeing, and connection between home and kura. This partnership reflects our belief that strong outcomes for young men are built through trust, shared responsibility, and meaningful relationships.
Mana Whenua and Sense of Place
Whangārei Boys’ High School has invested time and care in building respectful relationships with local mana whenua and hapū. This has been a deliberate and ongoing process, grounded in listening and learning together, to ensure local narratives are reflected appropriately within our curriculum and physical environment.
Our students learn about the significance of the whenua and landmarks that surround our school. This gives them somewhere to stand, something to be proud of, and a strong sense of belonging within the wider landscape of Whangārei and Tai Tokerau.
An Integrated Cultural Narrative
Our recent school redevelopment reflects a deliberate commitment to cultural inclusion and belonging. The design of our learning spaces weaves together the cultural narratives of Whangārei and the diverse communities that make up our school.
Traditional Māori patterns such as mangōpare, poutama, niho taniwha, unaunahi, and kaokao sit alongside Pasifika motifs, Asian design elements, and symbols of European heritage. These shared spaces honour every student’s identity and reinforce that mana, respect, and belonging are values held across cultures.
Artwork, murals, and digital displays rotate to showcase Diwali patterns, Samoan tatau-inspired graphics, Chinese dragon motifs, and Kiwi icons. This ensures every boy can see himself reflected within the school environment, including our growing international student community.
A Culture of Belonging
Whangārei Boys’ High School operates a whānau-based vertical form system, using new whānau names that reflect our commitment to inclusion and brotherhood. This structure supports strong relationships across year levels and reinforces a sense of belonging for every student.
We support cultural identity through policy and practice, including a clear commitment to respecting cultural diversity, upholding tikanga Māori, providing professional learning for staff in te reo Māori, and using dual-language signage across the school.
We also recognise and celebrate Pasifika culture through Language Weeks, cultural events, and our Pacific Dance Group, Tama Afakasi, reflecting the growing Pasifika presence within our kura.
Our Commitment
Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua.
There is more than one way to achieve an objective.
At WBHS, we recognise that success is not one-size-fits-all. By honouring culture, identity, and community, we support our boys to walk confidently in their own world while engaging respectfully with others.
Culture at Whangārei Boys’ High School is not an add-on. It is foundational. It shapes who we are, how we learn, and how we belong.
