Who are we?
The Penapena ā Kura: School Attendance Service is run by Hokonui Rūnanga’s Anamata Māia: Bold, Confident Futures Team.
This is a new service that started in January 2026. We have been contracted by the Ministry of Education to work with schools in Gore/Southland to improve ākonga attendance.
How it works
- Identify: Schools identify ākonga who are chronically absent or non-enrolled.
- Refer: Schools refer identified ākonga to our service.
- Support: We work with schools, whānau, the community and relevant agencies to support ākonga to re-engage with school and improve attendance.
Our team
Our team is based in Gore and Invercargill.
Invercargill:
Gore:
Our approach
We have developed a Waka of Attendance approach, emphasising that attendance issues reflect deeper disconnections from cultural identity, place of belonging (turangawaewae), and care relationships (manaakitanga). This holistic perspective recognizes that effective solutions must address spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing for all ākonga, not just Māori.
Nine integrated service provision areas are identified: holistic family support, cultural identity development, economic pressure relief, mobility and stability support, mental health and substance use interventions, reliable transport solutions, community engagement, holistic wellbeing approaches, and early intervention during school transitions.
Contact us
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Ground floor (Level 1)
142 Spey Street
Invercargill