Editorial: Kura opens up world for pupils

Katie Holland.

How exciting it must be to wander around Murupara's Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau playground and listen to children speaking not one, not two, but four languages.

The school recently opened a confucius classroom - following in the footsteps of Rotorua Lakes High and Rotorua Boys' High.

Kids at the kura will now learn te reo Maori, English, Japanese and Mandarin as it becomes New Zealand's first Maori medium immersion school to have a confucius classroom.

It's a fantastic mix of nurturing the Maori language and ensuring it continues to flourish, with ensuring young Maori students get all opportunities possible to succeed on a global stage in years to come.

There is a big old world outside of New Zealand and giving our children the skills to walk with confidence in that world is massive. A huge part of that is communication, as anyone who has travelled to a non-English speaking country and floundered in frustration trying to connect with locals will know.

But even for children who don't wish to travel or work overseas, a knowledge of other languages and cultures will stand them in good stead.

Here in Rotorua, China is among our fastest growing tourist market so there are, as principal Pem Bird says, limitless opportunities.

Of course, Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau is not the only local school giving its students the opportunities to learn languages and cultures - the education system has come a long way since the days of Latin or, if you were lucky, French and German, being on offer.

But it's a great example of how schools can combine New Zealand tradition and culture with a global view.

Our kids are truly getting the best of both worlds.