Education, by our people, for our people
ABOUT KURA
CARES PTE
Education that begins with identity and leads to opportunity
Kura Cares PTE exists to help rangatahi reconnect with learning, strengthen their confidence and move forward with purpose.
We provide practical, culturally responsive education for young people who may have experienced interrupted schooling, low confidence, limited achievement or barriers to employment and further training.
Our approach is not about focusing on what a learner is missing. We begin with their strengths, identity, whakapapa, culture, lived experience and aspirations.
Every rangatahi has potential. Sometimes they simply need the right environment, the right support and someone who believes in them.
Our Difference
Our Impact
Who we are
Kura Cares PTE is a community-focused Private Training Establishment created to provide meaningful education and employment pathways for rangatahi.
Our learning environments are supportive, practical and relationship-based. We work alongside learners, whānau, aiga, community organisations, pathway providers and employers to help young people develop the skills, confidence and direction needed for their next step.
Our Tū Māia Foundation Skills Level 2 programme is designed for rangatahi aged 16 to 24, particularly Māori and Pacific learners, young people who are not currently in employment, education or training, and learners with no or low previous achievement. It is structured as a practical bridge into further study, vocational training or entry-level employment.
Our Kaupapa In Action
Kura Cares PTE supports rangatahi who have become disengaged from education, helping them rebuild confidence, develop essential life, learning and work-readiness skills, and create a clear pathway toward further study, training or employment.
Future Wāhine supports young women to reconnect with learning, strengthen their confidence, and develop essential life, digital and work-readiness skills. Participants leave with clearer goals and stronger pathways into further education, training and employment.
Our purpose
We believe education should feel relevant, achievable and connected to real life.
Our purpose is to help rangatahi:
Re-engage positively with education
Build confidence, resilience and self-belief
Strengthen literacy, numeracy and digital capability
Develop healthy routines and self-management skills
Improve communication and teamwork
Understand their strengths and rangatiratanga
Create realistic education and employment pathways
Move confidently into further training, study or work
Learners are not treated as deficient. We recognise the taonga, knowledge, culture and strengths they already carry.
Our Kauri Learning Model
Strong futures begin with strong roots
Like the Kauri tree, rangatahi grow strongest when their foundations are secure. Our model supports learners through four stages:
Pakiaka — Roots
Build identity, belonging, confidence, routines and goals.
Tinana — Trunk
Strengthen wellbeing, resilience, communication and teamwork.
Ngā Peka — Branches
Apply literacy, numeracy and problem-solving through practical learning.
Ngā Rito — New Shoots
Develop digital and AI skills, complete a portfolio and plan the next step into study, training or employment.
A culturally grounded approach
Culture is central to our programme — it’s part of the foundation.
Our learning follows values that support Māori and Pacific learners and respect all cultures in our groups.
Whanaungatanga We build strong relationships between learners, teachers, whānau, aiga and the community.
Manaakitanga Learners enter a safe, respectful space with caring support, encouragement and high expectations.
Rangatiratanga Young people are helped to find their strengths, make choices and own their future.
Ako Teaching and learning go both ways: learners bring knowledge and kaiako guide and challenge them.
Hauora Wellbeing is essential for attendance, resilience, confidence and learning.
Kotahitanga Learners grow together and work toward shared success.
Tuakana-teina Peer support helps learners build leadership, confidence and responsibility.
Kaitiakitanga Learners learn to take care of themselves, their communities, online spaces and future chances.
What learners can gain
NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 credits
Vocational or industry training
Trades and service-sector programmes
Retail, hospitality or customer-service pathways
Community and care-support roles
Warehousing and facilities roles
Creative or practical training
Supported entry-level employment