Raukawa

Our Connection to Raukawa
Putāruru Primary School is proud to be situated within the mana whenua of Raukawa. We acknowledge the deep connection Raukawa has to this land and honour their role as kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua on which our kura stands.

Raukawa is an iwi with strong ancestral ties to the South Waikato region. Their rohe extends across much of the central North Island, including the area our kura is located in. Raukawa has a rich cultural heritage and continues to play an important role in the wellbeing, education, and future of our local communities.

We are fortunate to be working in partnership with Raukawa to develop a cultural kete that will tell the pūrākau (stories) of Raukawa accurately and respectfully. This kete will guide us in weaving local stories, waiata, karakia, and tikanga throughout our school curriculum.

This journey is both humbling and exciting, as we deepen our connection to place and people, and strive to reflect the richness of Te Ao Raukawa in our teaching and learning. We are committed to upholding this relationship with integrity and care, for the benefit of our ākonga and future generations.

Nā Raukawa te whenua, nā mātou te kura 
The land belongs to Raukawa, the school belongs to us all.

Ngā Marae o Raukawa – The Marae of Our Iwi (click here)

This document outlines the 16 marae of Raukawa, each of which plays a vital role in the identity, strength, and unity of the iwi. These marae are more than just physical places — they are ūkaipō, or spiritual anchor points, where whānau gather, stories are shared, tikanga is upheld, and the legacy of Raukawa ancestors is honoured.

Each marae represents a unique part of the Raukawa rohe and contributes to the collective identity of the iwi. During the Treaty settlement process, these marae gave their mandate to the Raukawa Settlement Trust to speak and settle claims on behalf of the iwi — a powerful act of trust and unity.

This map and listing serve as a taonga for our kura and community, helping us to recognise the deep connections that Raukawa people maintain with these places, and to honour the mana whenua upon which our school stands.

As part of our growing relationship with Raukawa, learning about these marae strengthens our understanding of place, identity, and belonging.

Raukawa Website - Click Here

Here is  Puna Mātauranga o Raukawa – their online cultural education and resource portal.
This space has been created to support and uplift Raukawa reo, culture, and identity, offering resources and information designed to protect and nurture the richness of Te Ao Raukawa. It is a place to learn, connect, and grow in our understanding of the iwi whose mana whenua we are privileged to stand upon.