KAIAARAHITANGA AAKONGA 

Grace Williams – Amokura Haapori

Teenaa koutou katoa,
Ko Kaihere te tuurangawaewae
Ko Pukekohekohe te whenua tupu, aa, e noho tonu ana au ki konei
Ko Simon raaua ko Andrea ooku maatua
Ko Grace ahau

Teenaa koutou, teenaa koutou, teenaa taatou katoa.

I have lived in Pukekohe all my life, attending Buckland School until Year 8 before beginning my journey at Pukekohe High School in 2021. I am incredibly excited and honoured to represent our school as the Amokura Haapori (Community) for 2025.

The introduction of this new council in the upcoming year is a unique opportunity to strengthen connections between our community, rangatahi, kaiako, and whaanau. My goal is to help ensure our kura is a place where every student feels a genuine sense of belonging.

I come from a large extended family based in Kaihere on the Hauraki Plains, which has allowed me to learn and experience more within the agriculture industry—something I am deeply passionate about. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time in the far north, where I love surfing, freediving, and fishing. Another passion of mine is netball, which I’ve played since I was five. The sport pushes me to grow as an individual and I greatly value the team culture that comes with playing.

I look forward to collaborating to make 2025 a year of connection and pride for our kura.

Oceana Taaka Te Kaute – Amokura Maaori

Papaki tū ana ngā tai ki Mauao
I whakanukunukuhia, i whakanekenekehia;
I whiua reretia e Hoturoa a Wahinerua ki te wai
Ki Waihīhī, ki Waihāhā,
Ki te whaiao ki te ao mārama,
Tihē Mauri Ora
Ko Oceana Taaka Te Kaute tōku ingoa.

I am a proud descendant of the bountiful waters of Tauranga Moana and the abundant lands of Pukekohekohe. Raised in the embrace of Te Ao Māori, I have grown in connection to my culture, my whenua, and my whakapapa. As the Amokura Māori for 2025, I am both humbled and excited to continue growing in this role. I believe in the power of Manaakitanga, Araahitanga, Puumautanga, and

Kotahitanga, and I am committed to contributing to the best of 2025. TOITU TE TIRITI MANA TU MANA TOA MANA AKEAKE.

Streme Clark – Amokura Toi me Ahurea

Ka tipu te whaihanga!
Ko Putauaki tōku Maunga
Ko Rangitaiki tōku Awa
Ko Mataatua tōku Waka
Ko Awanuiarangi Tuarua tōku Tīpuna
Ko Ngati Awa tōku Iwi Ko Ngāti Nuku me Ngaitamawera ōku hapū
Ko Uiraroa tōku Marae
No Te Teko ahau
Ko Streme taku ingoa

Kia ora, I am Toi me Ahurea’s Amokura for 2025! As a passionate art student, I believe that art is not only a form of self expression but also a fun yet powerful way to bring our community together. Through my years here at Pukekohekohe High School, with the amazing opportunities I’ve been given, I’ve learned how art can inspire growth, change, and teamwork. As Amokura for Pukekohekohe High school’s Arts and Culture, I aim to create an environment where students feel proud and encouraged to explore and pursue their creative potential, in any kind of art form, and to share their skills with the world.

Nō reira, tēnā kotou, tēnā kotou, tēnā tātau katoa.

Taha Basit – Amokura Akoranga

Kia Ora and Asalam Alaykom (May peace be upon you all). I am a Muslim and I am a Pakistani, and I was born in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), Waikato. My family shifted to Taamaki Makaurau (Auckland) when I was 5 years old, and we lived in Mt Roskill. We moved to Pukekohe and I joined Pukekohe High School halfway through Year 9.

Besides my school life, I enjoy spending time in the community, playing games with friends and going to the gym.

As a Student Leader, I will be a bridge of cohesion between the students and the teachers. So, as Amokura, you can expect from me clear communication and being approachable and relatable, which I believe is core to my role.

I came across a whakataukii (Maaori proverb) which I thought was quite profound:

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takatahi, engari he toa takitini.”

“Our strength is not made from us alone, but made from many.”

This simply means ‘we are stronger together.’

I am excited to work with the Senior Leadership Team, my fellow Amokura and the community to support learning and development together and build strong relationships based upon trust and respect.

Rhen Pressnell – Amokura Haakinakina

My name is Rhen Pressnell. I was born in England and moved to Pukekohe shortly afterward. I’m passionate about design, filmmaking, and photography, and I take great pride in my school. I strive to create my own opportunities rather than wait for them. With a strong passion for history, I believe in the importance of incorporating it into my work.

In the past, I’ve been highly involved in sports, particularly football. I currently serve as the captain of our school team and also founded our school’s PHS TV, where I create engaging promos for various departments. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and I’m a dedicated fan of my football team, Crystal Palace perhaps a little too much.

It is a pleasure to be named one of our Amokura for 2025. I take great pride in representing our school and look forward to continuing to work to make our kura one of the most exciting and interactive in the region.

Hufia Taumoefolau – Amokura Pasifika

Mālō e Lelei ko hoku hingoa ko Mo’uihūfia Taumoefolau, I am Tongan and come from the villages of Fatai, Tongatapu and Tu’anekivale, Vava’u. My parents are Kulī and Lūsia Taumoefolau and I have 8 siblings.

I was born and raised in New Zealand and have lived only in Pukekohe. My whole primary and intermediate school years I attended a small school with a big heart, Paerata School, this school and the teachers there played a huge part in my journey that has helped build the person I am today. Growing up slowly I became fully aware of the struggles that our Pasifika kids and teenagers go through in school and their outside life, to support them I aim to carve a path to success in high achievements for their education and for better results in attendance. Although Pasifika people are known for their pride in their culture there are still some who aren’t so confident in embracing their culture and starting from there I want to embrace all Pacific culture through the school the best I can helping them to have love and pride in their culture.

I look forward to what 2025 will bring and how awesome the Pasifika side of Pukekohe High School will be.

Greer Batters – Amokura Hauora

Kia ora koutou! My name is Greer Batters, and I am thrilled to step into the role of Amokura Haoara (Wellbeing) for 2025. Growing up, I spent much of my childhood in Tauranga before my family returned to Pukekohe in 2015. Since then, I have been proud to call this community home, attending Bombay School and later Pukekohe High.

It is an absolute privilege to take on the role of Amokura Haora and I am immensely excited to represent our kura while fostering its growth, strengthening relationships, and supporting the learning that makes Pukekohe High so special. My goal is to create those genuine connections between our students that build a positive, uplifting atmosphere, where they feel they are supported both in the classroom and outside of it.

Outside of school, you’ll often find me on the soccer field or teaching swimming to primary school tamariki, two endeavours I am truly passionate about. The ocean has always been a huge part of my life, so I love nothing more than spending time at the beach with those closest to me. Reading is another passion of mine, where I could immerse myself in a book for hours, therefore earning the name “bookworm”

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 

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 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.