Kura Community Engagement Policy
At Paparoa Street School, we engage with our 
kura community to support the successful operation of the kura and improve ākonga outcomes. This includes seeking to understand the identities, needs, and aspirations of our school community and any barriers to engagement, providing opportunities for our kura community to give feedback about kura operations, and building strong relationships with the Māori community associated with our kura. In support of the Education and Training Act 2020 and other relevant legislation and regulations, the poari matua consults with the kura community about key decisions that may affect our kura, kaimahi, ākonga, and their whānau.
The Education and Training Act 2020 (s 10) defines the school community as:
- the parents, families, and whānau of the school's students
- the Māori community associated with the school
- any other person, or group of persons, who the board or a sponsor considers is part of the school community for the purposes of the relevant provision.
When we engage with our kura community, we ensure we have considered any legislative requirements and kura policies and procedures, including:
We follow our kura privacy and records retention policies when engaging with our kura community. See Privacy Policy and Kura Records Retention and Disposal.
Poari matua requirements to consult with our kura community
The poari matua is legally required to consult with the kura community in certain circumstances. When consultation is required, the poari matua plans the consultation process and communicates this to the kura community.
Our consultation plan may include:
- the purpose of the consultation
- identifying the group(s) requiring greater focus in the consultation process as they may be affected more by the proposed change
- the methods that will be used to consult with each identified group
- the questions that will be asked
- how the information collected will be shared with the kura community (including when it will be shared)
- how the information provided by the kura community will be handled (e.g. where it will be stored, who has access, how long it will be kept, when it will be destroyed).
Education and Training Act 2020
The poari matua consults with the kura community:
- when preparing our strategic plan (s 139)
- when developing additional criteria relating to appointment of tumuaki (s 618)
- at least every two years before adopting a statement on the delivery of the health curriculum (s 91)
- before developing or reviewing a bylaw (s 126)
- before adopting or revoking a cohort entry policy for new entrants.
A kura rule made by the school board is a bylaw. Under the Education and Training Act 2020 (s 126), boards are required to consult with kaimahi, ākonga (as appropriate), and the kura community when making or amending rules/bylaws, if the rule is:
- made by the poari matua, tumuaki, or other kaimahi with delegated authority from the poari matua and
- enforced with full compliance in the kura, with disciplinary and/or negative consequences for breaching this rule.
Kura rules that relate to the legal rights of ākonga also require consultation.
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Making and amending school rules (bylaws) 
Education (When State Schools Must Be Open and Closed) Regulations 2024
The poari matua consults with the kura community:
- in situations where the time the kura is open for instruction may vary (s 7)
- in situations when the kura is proposing multiple timetables to allow ākonga enrolled at a different kura to use kura facilities for a period of time (s 10).
Related policies
Legislation
- Education and Training Act 2020
- Education (When State Schools Must Be Open and Closed) Regulations 2024
Resources
Term 4 2025, Term 3 2024
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