Manukura

What Manukura does

Manukura is a designated Special Character School (Years 9-13) operating from the Massey University campus in Palmerston North, New Zealand, serving a student body that is approximately 95% Māori. The school delivers an integrated education model that combines academic instruction (NCEA Levels 1-3 across sciences, mathematics, English, te reo Māori, te reo Rangatira, arts, and technology), high-performance sport programming (basketball, rugby, rugby 7s, netball, touch, and individual sports with sports science integration), and Māori cultural commitment (Kapa Haka, Ngā Manu Kōrero oratory competitions, Te Ao Māori worldview). Pedagogical technology is standard education tooling — laptops, wireless infrastructure, Google Sites-based student portfolios, and Google Forms for administrative workflows — overlaid with proprietary frameworks including Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Tamaiti Hei Raukura portfolio system, and a SOLO Taxonomy modified with Te Ao Māori worldview.

The school is regulated as a state entity under Section 156 of the Education Act (designation 739), with operational funding flowing from the Ministry of Education supplemented by an annual Goods & Services charge of NZ$2,850 per student (covering conditioning, uniform hire, transport, sport/cultural contribution, ID card, and nutrition/catering) and private boarding arrangements at approximately NZ$160-$180 per week. Go-to-market is direct enrollment via a Google Forms-based application with annual intake deadlines (for the 2027 intake: applications by September 17, 2026; offers by October 9, 2026; deposits by November 6, 2026), with selection criteria emphasizing commitment to sport and education, tertiary aspirations, national/international sport goals, and willingness to embrace Māori values. Governance is provided by a Board of Trustees (chaired by Professor Meihana Durie, with Principal Ilane Durie leading a Senior Leadership Team of 19 staff), following a 2019 transition from an Establishment Board. Strategic partnerships include Massey University (host campus), UCOL (STAR/Gateway/Agricultural programmes), Puhoro STEM Academy, NZQA (NCEA assessment centre), Touch NZ, and Aorangi Marae (founding guardian since 2005 under the original name Tū TOA).

Name

Manukura

Legal name

MANUKURA

Website

https://manukura.school.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Manukura is a New Zealand designated Special Character School (Years 9-13) on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North, delivering integrated academic, high-performance sport, and Māori cultural programmes to a student body that is approximately 95% Māori. It is Ministry of Education funded under Section 156 of the Education Act.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Indigenous/Culturally Focused & Community-Based Schools (EDAJACAM)

Keywords

• Secondary education services
• High performance sport academy
• Maori cultural education
• NCEA secondary schooling
• Boarding school services

Headquarters

HQ city

Palmerston North

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ministry of Education Funding: Standard operational aspects of the school are financed by the Ministry of Education as a designated Special Character School (739) under Section 156 of the Education Act.
2. Goods & Services Charges: Annual charges for goods and services ($2,850 total) covering conditioning ($530), uniform maintenance & hire ($130), transport ($120), sport/cultural contribution ($850), student ID card ($10), and nutrition/catering ($1,210). These charges support special character aspects not funded by Ministry of Education.
3. Boarding Fees: Private boarding arranged with individual whānau. Indicative rates: $180 per week for 7-day boarding, $160 per week for 5-day boarding through automatic payments. Boarding bursaries available through Ministry of Education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Manukura is a designated Special Character secondary school (Years 9–13) that delivers an integrated education model combining academic excellence (NCEA Levels 1–3), high-performance sport across multiple codes, and Māori cultural commitment. Core offerings include the Junior School Programme (Years 9–10), Senior School Programme (NCEA), the High Performance Sport Programme, and cultural programmes such as Kapa Haka and Ngā Manu Kōrero, supported by E-Learning, Boarding, Independent Learning Time and a Goods & Services Package (NZ$2,850/year).

Product overview

MANUKURA is a designated Special Character School (Years 9-13) offering an integrated education model combining academic excellence, high-performance sport, and cultural commitment within a Māori framework. The core offering consists of the Junior School Programme (Year 9-10 with thematic integrated curriculum) and Senior School Programme (NCEA Levels 1-3 with diverse subject offerings). The High Performance Sport Programme supports Basketball, Netball, Rugby, Rugby League, Touch Rugby, Individual Sports, and Waka Ama with sports science integration. Cultural programmes include Kapa Haka and Ngā Manu Kōrero (speech competitions). Supporting services include E-Learning platform, Independent Learning Time, Boarding services, Venue Hire, and a comprehensive Goods & Services package ($2,850 annually). The school operates from Massey University campus and provides wrap-around support including nutrition, conditioning, and academic individualised plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior School Programme Year 9–10 thematic integrated curriculum covering Literacy, Numeracy, Te Reo Māori, Science, Kapa Haka, Food Technology and Music for Manukura students.
• Senior School Programme NCEA Levels 1–3 secondary curriculum with subjects across sciences, arts, languages, mathematics and physical education, with pathways to tertiary education and careers.
• High Performance Sport Programme Coach-led high-performance sport programme delivering sports science, conditioning, specialist coaching, nutrition education, mentoring and mental skills support to elite student-athletes.
• Touch Rugby Programme Touch Rugby programme developing skills for rugby and rugby league players with a high-performance focus aligned to Touch NZ guidelines.
• Rugby & Rugby 7s Programme Rugby and Rugby 7s high-performance programme creating pathways to professional rugby and rugby league for student-athletes.
• Basketball Programme Basketball programme focused on individual skill development and team performance at regional and national competitions.
• Netball Programme Netball programme competing annually at the NZSS Championship, with focus on kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori.
• Individual Sports Programme Specialised programme for individual athletes in Athletics, Golf, Hockey, Skiing, Snow Boarding and Wrestling with flexible wrap-around coordination between coaches, whānau and Manukura.
• Kapa Haka Cultural performance programme revitalising and promoting te reo Māori and tikanga Māori through Kapa Haka performance and cultural development.
• Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech and oratory competition programme developing Māori excellence in oratory in English and Te Reo Māori.
• Boarding Services Private boarding accommodation through whānau homes in Palmerston North and Feilding with 5-day and 7-day options supporting student-athletes' sporting schedules.
• Venue Hire School facilities available for hire for cultural and sporting events with advance booking.
• Goods & Services Package Annual goods and services package covering conditioning, uniform maintenance and hire, transport, sport/cultural contribution, student ID and nutrition/catering services totalling NZ$2,850 per year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% Māori student population performing above national NCEA and University Entrance standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCOL (Universal College of Learning)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMANUKURA partners with UCOL to offer STAR, Gateway and Agricultural programmes for career advancement within the Senior school. This partnership creates pathways for students to access vocational education and training opportunities.
• NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority)coreOthersMANUKURA is an accredited examination centre for NCEA (National Certificates of Educational Achievement). Students sit NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3, with endorsements available for Merit and Excellence.
• Massey UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMANUKURA is based at Massey University campus in Palmerston North. This location provides access to university facilities and creates natural pathways for students to pursue tertiary education.
• Touch NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMANUKURA Touch programme strategic direction aligns with Touch NZ and follows Touch NZ AWHI guidelines. The school works closely with local sporting bodies to ensure programmes align and support player development.
• Puhoro STEM AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMANUKURA has a partnership with Puhoro STEM Academy to support students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and career pathways.
• Aorangi MaraecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMANUKURA was established under the guardianship of Aorangi Marae in 2005. The symbolism of 'kia aorangi ake' (continually seek new levels of excellence) is entwined in waiata and haka, connecting to Aorangi Marae.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manukura

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manukura