In 2026, kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, wharekura and whare wānanga are familiar parts of the educational landscape in Aotearoa. However, in the 1980s and early 1990s these pathways were still being fought for. On 27 February 1990, after years of determined lobbying and careful planning by whānau, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatū opened its doors as one of the early kura kaupapa in the country. Its founding story reveals the courage, challenges, and vision that shaped that Māori initiative and philosophy of education for Māori children.
Thirty‑six years on, generations of raukura stand as living proof of their parents, kaumātua, and iwi aspirations for language, identity, and educational sovereignty. The founding Tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatū, Debi Marshall-Lobb will share her personal recollections of those early years and the enduring impact that journey has had.
Image: Manawatū Evening Standard. (1985). Visitors Flock to the Nests for Māori Language Week, [B&W negative]. 2023N_2017-20_BF313_002, Manawatū Heritage
