Exciting Times at Te Kūwaha Mātauraka

Tuesday 16th September 2025

Change and progress are in the air at Te Kūwaha Mātauraka—from a new shed on the horizon to the arrival of our school’s new principal, it’s an exciting time to be part of the journey.


As we wind down the final weeks of term, it’s been a great chance to take stock before we head into a very busy stretch. The next six months will see us almost completely booked out until the end of May, an exciting sign of how much is happening here at Te Kūwaha Mātauraka.

One of the highlights this past month was welcoming Dr Aaron Columbus, our new school principal, to the site. I had the privilege of showing him around the facility, and he was clearly impressed by what we have here. Even more encouraging, he shared some excellent ideas about how we can continue to grow and strengthen what we do. It’s great to have his support and fresh vision as we look ahead.

Another exciting development is the new shed project, which is close to being underway. This will be a fantastic addition, giving us proper storage for kayaks, the boat, and all of our outdoor education gear. A special thanks goes to Joff Riley and Neil Lewis, who have been instrumental in keeping the project moving. Project management isn’t exactly my strongest skill set, but thanks to their guidance, everything has been flowing smoothly.

Maintenance has also been ticking along in the background. One job that’s been on my radar since I started here, the rotten fascia boards and soffits, has finally been tackled. It’s great to see the place getting the attention it deserves, and it’s already making a difference.

I also had the chance to get up to the College Fete on Saturday, where I helped out on the Ham and Bun stall. What an amazing event! A huge congratulations to the PFA for pulling together such a successful day. Their support for us at Te Kūwaha Mātauraka is incredible, and the funding they’ve provided over the years has made such a tangible impact on what we can offer.

Looking ahead, we’ll kick off next term by welcoming the Year 7s to site. This is always a highlight for me, as for most of them, it’s their very first time here. Their energy, excitement, and sense of adventure bring a fresh buzz to the place.

It’s been a full and rewarding term, and with so much on the horizon, I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes us. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.