Small and remote schools programme: Ngā Iti Kahurangi

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[The translation of the whakataukī is shown on the screen while being spoken in te reo Māori.]

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.

Ngā Iti Kahurangi was set up to improve the classrooms of our small and remote schools. The name means small and highly valued treasures. It recognises the importance of these schools to their communities and the education of ākonga across New Zealand.

Follow our journey as we work towards ensuring all schools have quality learning environments by 2030.

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Firstly, definitely noticed a massive difference with the carpet. It's so much softer. Um, it was quite cool. Yeah, coming back in when we moved in after the, um, after it was swapped over, which was very quick. Um, but we came back and you can immediately notice the softness. 

Um, I'm guessing it probably helps with the sound, but the sound panels definitely have helped with that more so the, if I've got a group up here, like the noise of the others talking back there, it's helped kind of just dim that down a bit, which my are a chatty bunch so that definitely does help. It is really cool.

The lights are a big difference. They're way brighter and it's just honestly just way better. The lights are like way brighter and the one in the cloak that used to be broken and now it's that we can actually use it and yeah, it's really bright I think 'cause we've got quite high ceilings as well. 

It has been sort of quite echoey in the past and having the sound panels and there's definitely less when the whole class are working and there's kind of that noise. It's more of just a hum now rather than, yeah, competing noises. I guess. The carpet's way softer and um, and way more cushiony and then, um, it's not as echoey in class and it's way, way better. Um, the lights, it's much more brighter.

The new carpet has been awesome. I think it will also definitely be in winter when the students really notice it. Just that warmth kind of more cozy feel. Um, but also I think just the students having pride in their classroom that they come in and see that it's been upgraded for them, I guess. And they're all excited and, yeah, which has been awesome to see.

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We feel very blessed, and feel extremely lucky that, we've been part of this and, and super excited. I think I've told just about every person that is actually listening, how awesome Ngā iti Kahurangi are. Because honestly, we just, we just wouldn't be able to do what, what you wonderful people have done for us. I think it's really important that we demonstrate your school and to schools, other small schools and isolated schools, that we actually understand the importance of your schools. And I think the, the programme name, Ngā iti Kahurangi small and valued treasures, really identifies the roles that you play in your community.

If we talk about the financial, aspect of it, it is really tricky. As a, as a little kura, these amazing upgrades that have actually happened would, if, if we were doing it, it would've gone to the bottom of the list. I'd like to gift this original print to you, which is from a local artist called Mark Wooler. It's up the Whanganui River, it's called "Casting the Net Wider" to commemorate this occasion. And just within education, if you think about casting the net wider, it's all about capturing that knowledge and information and taking it forth.

So we think it's quite appropriate for the tamariki, of course, they're not to be left out. We've got these beautiful scooters that we'd like to, to impart for them to enjoy, so that they can have the learning environment inside and also the learning environment outside. Our tamariki really noticed how the classrooms sound and how they feel. I actually wear two, two hearing aids, and I noticed the difference, it felt straight away, you know, it, it's, it is fantastic. It honestly is. And if that's how I'm feeling, what is it gonna, what's the impact of it, of our tamariki, you know? When we, especially when we think about that we have, you know, our, our babies come from all walks of life, maybe, like me and do have sensory issues and just a simple, you know, a little thing is a big thing.

A simple thing like these amazing acoustic panels have, will make a huge difference. Thank you! I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for helping us. Thank you for making us the best that we can be. You guys are amazing. You are rock stars, and we feel so lucky and so blessed.

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My job? I'm the Managing Director of Abilities Incorporated. Our aim is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities. And these are people with intellectual or mental difficulties.

Giving people an opportunity every day. Future proofing Abilities Group so that's what we work for. People care, we don't have a board that just wants profits. We put people first, and we don't put profits first.

We get to know our staff really well. Some of them arrive here very early in the morning. That's why I start early, so there is a place that they can come and feel safe. And you get to know them, in their own way.

Everyone had a story, and it's nice to understand where they come from. And not to judge them.

We've got a little group of 40 pluses. And we saw a few of those today. And yeah, they're very loyal, and very happy employees we love them.

Nick's been working here for oh, I don't know, a long time, about 40 years I think.

But coming here, it gives, it's a job and it's a proper job, it's for disabled people. But there are so many people with disabilities who get lost in the crowd, and it's very important for a person to have a purpose in life.

I came here, over here for work experience for two weeks, and 40 years later, I'm still here! [Laughs] 

Penny: I think 36 now, yeah. 
Rachel: 36 years? You look incredible. 
Penny: I know. [Laughs]

Work for him is really important, and the work they do of course is very important. 

It's a fun place to work and that's the environment myself and Peter want to have for Abilities Group. We make sure that we train our staff well enough to achieve those, but we're never too serious not to have fun, we're never too serious not to walk around, greet each other, make sure that everyone has a smile on their face every day.

Looking at the smiles on their face and the gratitude to have a job, and their pride in being here in their work. That's what keeps us coming every day.

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