KAIAARAHITANGA AAKONGA 

Student Leadership 2025

E tu Kahikatea, hei whakapae uroroa. Awhi mai, awhi atu, taatou, taatou e.

Kahikatea stand together; their roots intertwine, strengthening each other. We all help one another, and together we will be strong.

At Pukekohe High School we offer students multiple opportunities for students to experience leadership and participate and contribute as leaders.  We want to ensure our student leadership roles are meaningful and purposeful; and responsibilities are shared across key roles.

Objectives of Kaiaarahitanga Aakonga (Student Leadership)

1. To work together as ngaa kaiaarahi aakonga (student leaders), and with the school’s SLT, teachers, and wider student community;
2. To be present and provide active student leadership across the school;
3. To act as tuakana, provide positive role models and mentoring for younger students (teina);
4. To organise and facilitate key school initiatives and events that create a sense of community and wairua in our school; and
5. To represent Pukekohe High School at key community events.

Kaiaarahitanga Aakonga Roles 2025

The initial application process is to confirm appointments to the following key student leadership roles.

Ngaa Aamokura – Head Students (Year 13 only)

The Senior student leadership structure at Pukekohe High School for 2025 consists of six Amokura/Head Students. The main role of ngaa amokura will be to:

• Create a sense of community and spirit across the student body
• Assist in co-ordinating school events
• Fulfill student leadership expectations such as leading student assemblies, organising celebrations and serving as a role model for other students
• Representing Pukekohe High School within the community
• Leading the Councils (below)

Each of these Amokura leads a different kaunihera/council:

Amokura Akoranga – Learning Council

Amokura Maaori – Maaori Council

Amokura Pasifika – Pacifika Council

Amokura Toi me Ahurea – Arts and Culture Council

Amokura Haakinakina – Sports Council

Amokura Hauora – Well-being and school spirit Council (made up of the House Leaders)

Amokura Hāpori – Community & Service

Each kaunihera aakonga (student council) will be led by one of our Amokura/ Head students and each have 4 – 5 x Year 12 and Year 13 Kaiaarahi Kaunihera (Council leaders).  These students will be supported by one kaiako/ teacher.  Each kaunihera aakonga will have regular scheduled planning meetings (approx. 1 per fortnight).

The main role of the role of the Kaunihera Aakonga will be to organise and facilitate 1 significant initiative/ event per year (e.g. Wairua Week, Manaakitanga Week) and 1 lunchtime event/ challenge per year (e.g. House Quiz, sports games).  These initiatives/ events should align with our school values and could coincide with wider community events (e.g. Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori).  Challenges should encourage house spirit and will be awarded house points.  These initiatives/ events/ challenges must be planned and added to the school calendar at the beginning of the year (during our leadership training opportunity).

Ngaa Kairautoko Tuakana (Peer support leaders):

Current Year 9 – Year 12 aakonga will also have the opportunity to apply for a Kaitautoko Tuakana role.

These aakonga will be responsible for the peer mentoring and induction of new Year 9 aakonga entering our school. A programme of induction and mentoring will be established and training will be provided for Kaitautoko Tuakana. This is a very important role for senior aakonga to support our junior aakonga to be successful at our school. There is an expectation that all members of Kaunihera are a part of peer support, and you attend the mentoring sessions throughout the year.