Charter schools: Bombay Hills school Tipene set to reopen in 2025 for Māori and Pacific boys

St Stephen's College.

• Tipene will open in 2025 as a fulltime boarding school for Māori and Pacific boys.
• It is the seventh new charter school confirmed since November, aiming to provide diverse learning options.
• The Charter School Agency will support the establishment of all seven new schools before their openings.

Today’s confirmation that Tipene - formerly Hato Tipene or St Stephen’s Māori Boys Boarding College - will open in 2025 adds more depth to the growing network of diverse learning options for young New Zealanders, Charter School Agency chief executive Jane Lee says.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour made the announcement about Tipene reopening at the school’s South Auckland grounds today, making it the seventh new charter school to be confirmed since the end of November.

David Seymour and St Stephen's Old Boy Te Ururoa Flavell at this morning's announcement.

“Charter schools will make New Zealand’s education system more flexible and responsive to family and student needs.

“Every child deserves an education that gives them the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Tipene is a fantastic example of a school that will give families and educators more meaningful educational choice and support,” Seymour said.

Tipene is a fulltime boarding school for Māori and Pacific boys. Familiar to many as St Stephen’s School which closed in 2000, the new Tipene charter school will open its doors to Year 9 and 10 students in 2025 and gradually phase in additional year groups.

“I welcome Tipene to the charter school network and commend its governing body Te Tuara Trust and its supporters for their dedication and vision to give this historic school a new beginning,” says Lee.

“Like all of the new charter schools, Tipene will offer its students an environment that more closely meets their learning needs to help lift achievement levels. This will support young people to progress and achieve and empower them to reach their potential.”

Chair of the independent Charter School Authorisation Board, Justine Mahon, says Tipene is another example of how charter schools will provide greater flexibility in teaching and innovation in learning.

“Today is a remarkable milestone for the Tipene community and a further meaningful educational alternative for young people and their families.”

The Charter School Agency will now focus on supporting the establishment of all seven new charters ahead of their respective opening days.

The seven new charter schools announced to open in 2025 are:

Tipene (Auckland)

Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki (Christchurch)

Christchurch North College (Christchurch)

The Busy School NZ (Auckland)

Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao (Kaitāia)

Ecole Francaise Internationale (Auckland)

North West Creative Arts College (Auckland)