Kawea
Carry the journey within.
Kawea is a 28 day live-in emerging leaders program for year 10 students, based at Wharekawa Lodge on the Coromandel Peninsula.
At Kawea, we believe that every young person carries the potential to lead. With the right environment, guidance, and support, those innate qualities can be uncovered, nurtured, and strengthened.
Stepping beyond the traditional classroom and into a purposefully designed learning community, students are immersed in experiences that build confidence, resilience, and a deep sense of connection.
Kawea is a powerful extension of the school curriculum — experiential, values-based, and grounded in real-world learning. It offers students the opportunity to thrive in ways that leave a lasting impact, both in the classroom and at home.
At Kawea, we are proud to walk alongside kura and whānau in shaping a generation of grounded, capable, and compassionate young people.
A Unique and Immersive Experience in Nature.
Students live onsite at Wharekawa Lodge in Opoutere for four weeks, away from home, immersed in a back to basics’ unique setting with up to 25 students and staff. Students experience community living within a Poutama whānau, consisting of 8-9 students and overseen by a Poutama mentor/staff. They prepare meals, eat, and work through duties together. Students sleep in basic cabins ranging from two students to six students in each. These are small and simple cabins consisting of bunks, storage for clothing, a wall heater and a laundry basket.
Place Based Outdoor Education.
Students participate in a variety of skill-based and recreational outdoor activities and pursuits three days a week off campus, leveraging the stunning coastal environment and surrounding native bush. Pursuits include: Bush L1 skills, 24 hour Solo, Source to sea tramp, Hauturu Experience, Kayak L1 skills, Paddleboard L1 skills. Recreational activities include: Fishing, surfing, raft making, swimming (ocean and river), daily 3km runs.
Socially Responsible Leadership Development.
Our approach to leadership development is a holistic yet structured approach. This includes:
Real-world skill development
Enviro sustainability workshops
Service project
A rich bicultural environment
Daily self reflection, goal setting, journaling
Development of key competencies and executive functioning skills
Holistic Integrated Curriculum
Our holistic curriculum is deeply rooted in our Values and Guiding Principles, which serve as the foundation for all educational activities and decision-making processes. Our curriculum fosters personal growth, leadership skills, and an appreciation for our bicultural heritage.
Digital Detox.
In keeping with our principle of simplicity, we do not allow students to bring digital devices or items onto campus. This allows our students to disconnect from technology and immerse themselves in nature, which is a core part of our Kaupapa. It also emphasises face to face interaction and hand-written communication. Students experience significant benefits from not having access to social media and digital devices for four weeks:
Improved social skills
Increased physical activity
Reduced anxiety and depression
Better sleep patterns
Stronger sense of community
Enhanced focus and productivity
Mindfulness and presence
Pastoral Care System
Our pastoral care is at the heart of our programme. Students are grouped into three Poutama Whānau, each supported by two dedicated mentors who provide consistent guidance and care throughout the journey. With our intentionally low student-to-staff ratio, mentors are able to form strong, trusting relationships, ensuring each student feels seen, supported, and safe.
Poutama Mentors oversee all aspects of student wellbeing—emotional, behavioural, and medical—and walk alongside each young person with empathy and high expectations.
Our Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
At Kawea, we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by weaving its principles—Partnership, Participation, and Protection—into everything we do. We work closely with mana whenua, respecting their deep connection to this land and the knowledge they bring.
Personal Growth.
Our back to basics’ environment fosters resilience, confidence, gratitude and self-reliance. Students learn to overcome obstacles and manage without modern conveniences, or the support from parents or caregivers. This builds their independence, resourcefulness and develops an awareness of their own capabilities.
Rites of Passage
We believe that young people benefit from a meaningful “rite of passage” as they transition into adulthood. This important stage of development is often missing in today’s world. Kawea is designed to fill that gap—providing powerful, structured experiences that support emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth.
