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Linwood school Te Pā o Rākaihautū wins prestigious global award in Abu Dhabi

17 January 2025

Te Pā o Rākaihautū, a kura-ā-iwi school in Linwood, has claimed victory at the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize awards in Abu Dhabi.

Recognised in the Global High Schools category, the school impressed judges with its innovative “Puku Māra” project, combining Māori cultural practices with modern sustainability solutions, including composting and land restoration.

Te Pā o Rākaihautū is a whānau-based pā wānanga (community learning village) that integrates mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and cultural practices into its educational approach.

In 2024, a group of eight Year 13 students submitted an application for the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025. The students were Te Rā Hangu, Lewis, Saffron, Ewan, Kiritiana, Kahia, Mahinarangi and Keala.

The school found out they were finalists for the award in November, leaving very little time to raise the funds needed to travel to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. Being nominated for the award is a momentous achievement and recognising this, the Waitai Community Board resolved to support the group with a grant of $3,500 towards the travel costs, so that they could attend.

And they won!

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s global award that recognises and rewards small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools with impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions. The school competed against finalists from Beijing and Fiji in the Asia and Pacific region.

Te Pā o Rākaihautū wins US$150,000 (NZ$267,167). The prize will allow the school to fully realise their vision of building an 8 hectare garden and composting operation on thier new site. More importantly though, winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize means that their tamariki, culture and way of life is being acknowledged as a vital part of the World's future, sharing its impact nationwide.

The award, presented during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, cements Te Pā o Rākaihautū as a global leader in education for sustainability.

You can find out more about the award and Te Pā o Rākaihautū award winning project, go to Zayed Sustinability Prize by clicking here.