New Zealand opens a Tūhoe-led, Māori-immersion charter school in Te Urewera by 2026, fulfilling a 2013 commitment and integrating traditional knowledge with national standards.

New Zealand will open Te Kura Awhitu, a Tūhoe-led charter school in Te Urewera, by Term 2 of 2026, offering full Māori immersion education rooted in Tūhoe culture and the natural environment. The school will integrate traditional knowledge with national standards, using the forest as a classroom for subjects like science, geography, and sustainability. It fulfills a 2013 Crown-Tūhoe commitment and reflects a broader push for community-led, culturally responsive education. The school will receive state funding with greater autonomy, bringing the national charter school total to 19.