Tangata ako ana i 
Powhiri at St Peters College, a student surrounded by her teacher, whanau and kaumatua
te kaenga, te tūranga ki
te marae, tau ana
(A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society)
Hokonui Rūnanga Mātauranga Strategy
Vision
Hokonui Rūnanga will support whānau to participate and succeed on all pathways of Mātauranga. Hokonui Rūnanga will show leadership and support to community, schools and whānau to reach their aspirations of Māori excellence in Mātauranga.
Introduction 
Tutor from Auckland University running a study prep workshop for some rangatahi at Hokonui Runanga
Hokonui Rūnanga has a long history of advocating for whānau particularly our tamariki and rangatahi at risk of becoming disengaged from fulfilling their academic potential or pathways to successful training and employment.
Underpinning the aspirations of Hokonui Rūnanga is the broader Ngāi Tahu Te Rautaki Mātauranga strategy. The Rūnanga aligns with the vision ‘That education enables the success and well-being of Ngāi Tahu whānau in all aspects of their lives’. Find out about Whānau Opportunities for Ngāi Tahu.
Hokonui Rūnanga is also committed to the wider community in the spirit of partnership and collaboration as we believe the success of all contributes to the success of our whānau. We do this in collaboration with Ministry of Education, local Council and community wide initiatives, voluntary programmes and funded contracts.
Hokonui Rūnanga has 12,078 registered members (Feb 2018). We want all whānau to have access to any educational opportunity that supports them to achieve their goals and aspirations. That they may participate and contribute to their communities and enjoy good health and standards of living.
Guiding Principles
To achieve our vision Hokonui Rūnanga aligns with the strategies of Ngāi Tahu Te Rautaki Mātauranga strategy to:
- Create Pathways
- Prioritise Success
- Provide Leadership
- Promote Innovation
We will achieve this at a Rūnanga level by continuing to develop, implement and monitor mātauranga opportunities. We will do this holistically in partnership with all services offered at Hokonui Rūnanga to ensure the best outcomes for all whānau.
Hokonui Mātauranga Services
Kaitoko Mātauranga | Education and Community Development
Call Colleen Te Au for information and support regarding your tamariki/rangatahi education needs, we can explore the options together:
- Address any concerns issues in a strength based way
- Mediate communication
- Whānau Education Action Plans
- Learner Support funding for extra tuition (pending eligibility)
- Learn how you can be involved and make a difference in improving outcomes for your children at home and school
- Funding, scholarship, training opportunities
Kura Hourua - Hokonui Alternative Education
Students may come to alternative education for a number of different reasons. Alternative education is a short term intervention which supports students who have been alienated from mainstream education. It re-engages students in a meaningful learning programme targeted to their individual needs and supports them to transition back to mainstream school, further education, training or employment.
Kaiako -Tamara Ramage, Kaiawhina - Matu Coleman-Clarke and Kendall Harrington
Youth Employment Success
Hokonui Rūnanga is one of the employers involved in the Youth Employment Success programme.
Youth Employment Success is working towards an Eastern Southland that actively engages and supports all young people. A community that owns the youth unemployment issue and works collaboratively to solve it. We’re looking for Eastern Southland employers who can offer employment and training opportunities for young workers and students. We’re raising awareness and creating conversations about Youth Employment; Building employer knowledge and confidence in employing young people; Generating positive employment-based opportunities and jobs for Eastern Southland youth; Recognising, endorsing and celebrating existing Eastern Southland Youth Friendly Employers.