Kura Toa appoints founding Tumuaki

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Tumuaki, Callum Kātene, and the Establishment Board of Kura Toa are delighted to announce the appointment of Kathleen O’Hare (Te Ātiawa ki Waiwhetū, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) as the founding Tumuaki of Kura Toa – the charter school established by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira. 

Kathleen brings more than three decades of educational leadership experience, including principal roles at Ngāti Toa School and Maraeroa School, leadership within the Porirua East Kāhui Ako, and more recently, education systems transformation work in Aotearoa and internationally. 

Callum says, “Kathleen’s appointment marks an important milestone in bringing the vision of Kura Toa to life”. 

“Kathleen is a deeply respected educational leader whose values, experience and commitment to tamariki align strongly with the aspirations of Kura Toa. She brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, proven school leadership, kaupapa Māori practice, and a genuine ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.” 

Throughout the selection process, Kathleen demonstrated a strong commitment to educational models that place identity, belonging, wellbeing and achievement at the centre of learning. Her experience working alongside iwi, whānau, kaiako and communities, alongside her belief in Māori-led educational innovation, made her a compelling choice to lead the kura through its establishment phase. 

Kura Toa has been created to provide an innovative learning environment grounded in Ngāti Toa Rangatira values, tikanga and aspirations. The kura seeks to reimagine education in a way that supports rangatahi to thrive academically, culturally, socially and emotionally, while remaining firmly connected to their identity and community. 

Kathleen said she was honoured to accept the position and will join the establishment team on 6 July. 

"Kura Toa presents an exciting opportunity to create a learning environment where every young person is seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. I look forward to working alongside whānau, iwi, kaiako, and our wider community to bring this vision to life and help shape a strong future for our tauira," said Kathleen.

The Board looks forward to working alongside Kathleen as Kura Toa enters its next chapter and prepares to welcome its first cohort of ākonga in Term 1, 2027.