Tarawera High School
25 September 2026
From the Principal
Kei aku manu taiko, aku manutaki, aku manu korero o te wa,
Tēnā ra koutou katoa
Term 3 has been a fantastic term of celebrating our students and their many achievements. They have represented Tarawera High School with pride in sporting and cultural kaupapa around the motu. We are proud of the way they have shared their talents, supported one another and carried our MANA values wherever they have gone.
AIMS
Rangitaiki Kapa Haka Festival
School Production
Manu Korero Nationals
Smokefree Rockquest
Volleyball
Basketball
Ki o Rahi
Golf
CAAs
Mock Exams
Trades Graduation
Open Day/ Open Evening
Enrolments
Athletics Day support with KSS
Thank you to the many volunteers, whānau and supporters who made these opportunities possible. The time, skills and knowledge you share with our students help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
As we head into Term 4, I encourage every student to revisit the goals they set earlier in the year. This is a chance to reset, refocus and finish the year strongly. Whether your next step is improving your attendance, giving your best in your learning or making positive choices in your behaviour, take time to identify what you need to work on and the support that will help you get there.
I wish our students, staff and whānau a restful break. We look forward to seeing everyone ready for a positive final term.
Student Matters
Manu Korero - Nationals
Congratulations to Sidney Waiari on placing 3rd Equal in the Impromptu section at Manu Kōrero Nationals! An outstanding achievement from our Head Boy, we’re incredibly proud of you, Sidney.
Today, we welcomed home Sidney, who represented our kura and region in the Senior Korimako section at Ngā Manu Kōrero Nationals, alongside the students, staff and Te Whata Tau o Putauaki who travelled with him to Kaikohe. It was a special powhiri to have mana whenua, staff and students bring the taonga, Ngawini, on to join our other taonga. We are incredibly proud of Sidney for placing third overall in his section. What an achievement for him, his whānau, our kura, our community and our rohe!
Board of Trustees - Student Rep
Congratulations to Meagan Wai, who has been elected as the Student Trustee on our Board of Trustees. Voting was open to all Years 9–13 students, and we appreciate everyone who took part.
A heartfelt thank you to Sidney Waiari for his outstanding service over the past three years. He has represented our students with commitment and maturity, and we acknowledge his mahi with gratitude.
🫖💚👸🎩Trident SLC Ball
Some of our Tomairangi Atawhai SLC students and staff attended the Mad Hatters Tea Party at Trident High School Special Centre last Friday.
Such a cool opportunity for our students to get out, connect with others and enjoy a fun day together.
Kawerau Young Achievers Awards
The Kawerau Young Achievers Awards are set to take place at the Kawerau Town Hall on Friday 23rd October 2026 at 4.30pm.
An opportunity for our Kawerau kids to be recognised and celebrated for their achievements in sports, academic and cultural endeavours within the district, region and nation wide.
We invite parents, coaches, aunties and uncles to nominate who they think deserve to be celebrated and recognised as a Kawerau Young Achiever 2026.
Applications are currently open and close on 30th September 2026. Here is the link to check out the nomination criteria and to make a nomination
Sport
AIMs Games 2026
Our tamariki had an outstanding week at the Zespri AIMS Games, competing in Rippa Rugby, Rugby Sevens and Badminton. They showed determination, sportsmanship and real pride in representing Tarawera High.
Across the week, our rugby teams secured some great wins, learned plenty, and kept improving with every game. Badminton players also shone, with several making it through to quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and even finishing as runners‑up in Mixed Division 3 — an incredible achievement.
A huge thank you to our volunteers and whānau for the support, early mornings, travel and encouragement. Our tamariki have gained memories, friendships and experiences they’ll carry with them for years to come.
Bring on AIMS 2027 — including the exciting addition of Chess!
Volleyball Festival
What an awesome day for our 7/8 THS tamariki at the Volleyball Festival held in Whakatane.
For some, it was their first taste of volleyball outside our school gym walls, and they absolutely stepped up! Their hard mahi, commitment and training were on full display - and seeing that mahi translate into wins throughout the day was the true reward.
Even more importantly, our students upheld our THS MANA values throughout the entire day. We had several kura comment on how awesome, welcoming and respectful our students were, including inviting others to train with them between games. Manaakitanga, Ako, Ngākau Pono and Awhina in action!
We are incredibly proud of the way our tamariki represented not only Tarawera High School, but also their whānau today.
A huge mihi to our whānau for allowing your tamaiti to be part of our THS volleyball journey
Careers
Trades
A huge congratulations to three of our students who have successfully graduated from the Trades Course Whānau Ora/Pōkaitahi L4, gaining an impressive 60 Level 4 credits.
This course prepared students to support wellbeing across community, residential and home settings using whanau-centered and kaupapa Māori approaches.
We are incredibly proud of their commitment and achievement and wish them every success as they take the next steps in their learning and career journeys.
A special mention to Neveisha Wharerimu-Wilson who achieved an outstanding 100% attendance throughout the course. What an incredible demonstration of commitment and dedication.
