Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu has officially opened its new Tauranga office at 141 Cameron Road, marking an exciting step forward for ākonga and whānau across Tauranga Moana and the wider Bay of Plenty. The move from its former premises at the Toi Ohomai Bay of Plenty Polytechnic reflects Te Kura’s ongoing commitment to providing accessible, personalised support in the communities where learners live and connect.
The day began with a dawn blessing led by local iwi kaumātua, Charlie Rahiri (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Tamarāwaho) and Turirangi Ngatai (Ngāi Te Rangi), alongside Te Kura kaimahi. As the sun rose over Tauranga Moana, the group received a special tohu.
Opening of the new Tauranga office
Photo: Puti Gardiner (DCE), Turirangi Ngātai (kaumātua), Charlie Rahiri (kaumatua),
Barbara Poroa (kuia), Judith Pickering (kuia), Te Rina Leonard (CE), Di Dodd (kuia)
During the karakia, Rahiri shared that the rōpū was greeted by a kaitiaki (guardian) of the area as they approached the doors, a mokomoko (gecko) known to iwi as a mokopuna of Ngāi Tamarāwaho ancestress Taurikura.
“Seeing the guardian Taurikura this morning is a positive sign for Te Kura. She carved the waterways of Ōhane and Waikareao, creating pathways for others to follow. We would like to gift these names to your new spaces to reflects how Te Kura also guides ākonga on their learning journeys,” says Rahiri.
The building has been gifted the name Taurikura, with Waikareao given to the space on Level 1, and Ōhane to Level 2.
To mark the move into the new space, kaimahi reflected on their earlier work environments. They shared light-hearted stories about their first office, described as having the charm of an ‘Outrageous Fortune’-style home, a little dated, but warm and welcoming.
Their later shift to the Polytech brought its own quirks and memorable moments, even inspiring a school project on insects. These stories highlighted a shared journey and a strong sense of resilience and humour. What was clear was that while each place served its purpose at the time, Te Kura continued to grow, and so did the need for a new space that could better support everyone.
For Te Kāhui Hauāuru Regional Manager, Mere Davis, the new office represents more than a change of location, it’s a chance to reimagine how Te Kura connects with its communities.
“Our new building gives us room to grow, with space for 35 kaimahi on the second level, and the lower level becoming an area where we can welcome ākonga onsite for Huinga Ako for the very first time. It means deeper connection, greater visibility, and more opportunities for whānau to engage in ways that work for them.”
A new space for Huinga Ako
Te Kura Chief Executive, Te Rina Leonard, says ākonga voices continue to influence the way Te Kura evolves.
“Te Kura ākonga have told us there are three things that matter to them: having a safe space to connect, communicate, and be themselves. This new Tauranga office helps us bring those aspirations to life.”
The Tauranga office joins Te Kura’s network of 17 regional sites across Aotearoa, from Whangārei in the north to Waihōpai (Invercargill) in the south. With the opening of its new Tauranga base, Te Kura begins a new chapter, one grounded in connection, community, and opportunities for ākonga to thrive.