Who is Te Hīkoi?
Te Hīkoi is the abbreviated version of Ko te hīkoi, mā ngā ākonga. This statement conveys our kaupapa ‘the walk is for students’ and has been interpreted for us as ‘a journey into the future with and for our learners’.
Te Hīkoi is an Alternative Education consortium that is managed by Aorere College for students in South and Central Auckland.
We provide education and pastoral support for students who are at risk of, or who have, disengaged from mainstream schooling. We aim to re-engage students in a meaningful learning programme targeted to their individual needs and support them to transition back to mainstream school, further education, training or employment.
Te Hīkoi kaupapa (responsibilities)
- Enrolling students
- Providing professional and educational support to providers and students
- Monitoring the quality of the programmes delivered
- Reporting to the Ministry of Education and school principals
Matua Les Hoerara
Director
Matua Les joins Te Hīkoi after serving the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust with the delivery of the Te Kai-ā-Hiku programme for eight primary schools across Tāmaki Makaurau. Les is an educationalist, a teacher (25+ years in bilingual and immersion), and researcher from a Te Ao Māori, Kaupapa / Mātauranga lens. His doctoral thesis comes from an equity base where the development of the cultural capability of leaders is front and centre. In his spare time, Les is an avid gym bunny and kōwhaiwhai / pointillism artist.
Moana Taane
Coordinator
I have been in the alternative education setting since 2000 and have overseen Te Hikoi originally named AIMHI alternative education since 2007.
I have lived predominantly in South Auckland most of my life from primary to secondary schooling and had a strong sense of service providing for our community.
I have 5 children ranging from 23-30yrs and 5 mokopuna whom I adore. I am humbled to continue to service our community with the most at-risk young people in such a diverse place and know that every effort counts.
Marisa Collis
Administrator
I have been the administrator with AIMHI AE now operating as Te Hikoi for the past 8 years and enjoy the experience, working with young people that are dis-engaged. The work is both challenging and rewarding.
I have a son, Jordan, 22 married with my first grandchild Roman. Jordan and Catherine completed their schooling at Onehunga High School and are currently at MIT and Auckland University.
Mrs Debra Pene
Teacher — Career Advisor
I am the Careers Advisor and Transition Co-ordinator for Te Hikoi. I am a registered teacher and have worked in South Auckland my whole teaching career. I feel that I have a deep connection and understanding of our students and the community that I work in.
At Te Hikoi it is my responsibility to mainstream students back into secondary schools when they are ready, get them work ready or enrol them into further studies. I also work with the tutors in the community programs (Target Education and Tipu Whare) to roll out a junior and senior Career Development program. Senior Students attend a Trades Academy two days a week to get a taster of Trades.