Kauora is our reo Māori swimming programme supported by Ōtaki Pool alongside our Learn to Swim programmes. Kauora is delivered after-school, and is conducted entirely in te reo Māori.
Kauora is a Kaupapa Māori swimming and water-safety programme designed to teach pūkenga wai (water competencies) to tamariki in a fully-immersed reo Māori environment.
The kaupapa is grounded in Raukawa values which promote hauora, cultural connection and confidence in the water.
As part of the Learn to Swim kaupapa, we support whānau and their tamariki aged five years and above. We tautoko whānau and their tamariki, as well as working alongside local, Māori-medium education providers such as kura Māori, kōhanga reo and bilingual units within the Kāpiti district.
After-school lessons as part of the Learn to Swim programme are taught at Ōtaki Pools.
Lessons provided through kura are taught at both Ōtaki Pool or at the awa in Ōtaki (weather dependant), however we are working towards delivering after-school lessons at the awa in the near future.
Learning swim skills in outdoor, natural environments creates even more learning opportunities, while helping to familiarise tamariki with the real places where they'll use these skills.
Kauora is delivered alongside our Learn to Swim programme, Monday to Thursday after school. Tamariki are encouraged to bring whānau or friends who enable them to explore confidence and connection in our kaupapa.
Check out our fees and charges on our Learn to Swim page.
Tamariki are taught in age groups, then assessed against our six pūkenga or competencies.
Kawepēpi | Nurturing and carrying the baby
Akoranga kōhanga
Working as a whānau, early entry into the wai, ensuring Tamariki are ready, comfortable and enjoying the water.
Te Tai Hātea (ages 5-6)
The clear tide
Engages Tamariki independently learning pūkenga to navigate clear and shallow wai.
Te Tai Whakamātau (ages 7-8)
The challenging tide
Tamariki are tested with deeper connection, more challenging water and pūkenga to move into deeper wai.
Te Tai Whakarauora (ages 8-10)
The living tide
Tamariki begin to navigate pūkenga for survival, ruku kai, and orange practices in and around the wai.
Te Au Kōtui
The converging currents
Tamariki beginning to demonstrate the interconnection of mātauranga and pūkenga. Tamariki have now entered the age where they are independent & kaitiaki are no longer expected to closely inform their behaviour in and around the wai.
Te taunga ki te whenua
The landing upon the shore
Tamariki are now confident and competent in their pūkenga and can utilise the wai as a source of oranga.
Pau Kauora
Pillar of Kauora
Now a kaitiaki and confident in all pūkenga, tauira have gained experience in teaching and looking after the younger generations.
Ngā Pou Kauora will complete the Kauora pukamahi and have a high quality of pūkenga, enabling them to become Kauora Kaimahi or have leadership pūkenga in and around the wai.
Kautaki
Tikanga o te wai, entry and exits
Kauope
Working together
Kaukau
Connection to wai, floating, treading water
Kautaki
Tikanga o te wai, entry and exits
Kauawhi
Use of equipment
Kautiaki
Survival and swim strokes