Orewa College welcomes three new kaiako to strengthen te reo Māori pathways and launch the full immersion Rumaki programme for Year 7–8 in 2026.

Introducing the new kaiako of our Rumaki, a full immersion Te Reo Māori programme

Yesterday, we welcomed three new kaiako to Orewa College, a significant step forward as we expand pathways and prepare to launch our inaugural full immersion Rumaki programme for Year 7–8 in 2026.

These kaiako will not only support Rumaki, but also strengthen senior te reo Māori pathways and grow opportunities such as Te Ao Haka and kapa haka across our kura.

Pip Speedy

We are thrilled to welcome Pip back into the teaching space. Currently as our Head of Guidance, Pip will be one of the central kaiako within the Rumaki programme. Her deep aroha for te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is evident in all she does. She is committed to nurturing confident, capable speakers who carry te reo Māori forward with pride, purpose, and a sense of its significance as a living taonga.

Huia King

A graduate of te kōhanga reo, te kura kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi marae, and later Massey High School, Huia was once a student of Mr Warriner. She joins us from Rangitoto College where she taught te reo Māori and Te Ao Haka, and is also a performer with the renowned kapa haka rōpū Te Waka Huia. Huia will help lead kapa haka, oversee Te Ao Haka, and play a key role in Rumaki development.

Kata Simpkins

We also warmly welcome back Kata Simpkins, an Orewa College alumni and long-standing member of the Hibiscus Coast community. She will lead the development of our Rumaki programme and support te reo Māori pathways alongside Matua Haimona Koziarski. Whaea Kata brings strong expertise in whānau engagement, iwi relationships, tikanga, and cultural leadership from her roles at Rangitoto College, Te Raki Paewhenua, and other large Auckland schools.

Nau mai, haere mai ki tō tātou kura.