Education

Graphic for the 2026 Porirua King’s Birthday Honours List featuring King Charles III in ceremonial uniform alongside gold and white text on a dark background.

Porirua residents earn King’s Birthday honours June 2, 2026 Three Porirua residents have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours for their contributions to literature, culture and community service. Author and publisher Adrienne… …

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker stands with Samoan community leaders and guests during a Samoa Language Week and Samoan Independence Day celebration. The group poses for a photo beneath a Samoan flag at an indoor community event.

Porirua celebrates Samoan language week June 2, 2026 Porirua came together this morning for the annual Samoa flag raising, celebrating Samoa Language Week and commemorating the 64th anniversary of Samoa’s independence. Mayor Anita… …

Promotional image for Waenga featuring eight cast members standing against a black background. A young woman holding an identification card stands in the foreground, surrounded by characters including police officers, a lawyer and young adults. The title "WAENGA" appears in bold yellow lettering along the left side.

Political drama Waenga comes to Porirua May 31, 2026 A powerful new theatre production exploring justice, race and political participation will be performed in Porirua this July, bringing a story developed with rangatahi Māori… …

Porirua tamariki and rangatahi stand together on a school basketball court during a Ko Wai Au activity.

Porirua centre backs drug harm funding May 27, 2026 Porirua Whānau Centre says a new $11.9 million Crown investment in the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme will strengthen community-led work to prevent… …

A group of smiling children raise their hands in front of an Ōtaki Kids Market stall at Coastlands Shopping Centre.

Young entrepreneurs bring market to Whitby May 20, 2026 Young entrepreneurs will take centre stage in Whitby next month, with the Kids Market Pop-Up coming to Discovery School on Friday, June 5, from 4.30pm… …

Windley School students and staff wearing pink T-shirts pose together in the playground during Pink Shirt Day celebrations in Porirua.

Porirua students mark Pink Shirt Day with ice cream May 17, 2026 For the third year running, Porirua Whānau Centre is marking Pink Shirt Day at Windley School by giving every student and teacher a free ice… …

Close-up photograph of a noble false widow spider with long orange-brown legs and a patterned cream and brown abdomen against a pale background.

Porirua schools and scouts help track spider sightings May 15, 2026 Schools and scout groups across Porirua are helping identify and record sightings of the noble false widow spider as part of a growing citizen science… …

A colourful “Class of 2026” graphic featuring large red numbers, a graduation cap and a cartoon rocket launching into space with smoke and stars around it.

Porirua finalists named for Gold Awards May 12, 2026 Five Porirua organisations have been named finalists in the 2026 Gold Awards, recognising business innovation, leadership and community impact across the Wellington region. The finalists… …

Crowds of secondary school students and jobseekers fill Te Rauparaha Arena during the Porirua Careers Expo, visiting exhibitor stalls and speaking with employers and training providers.

Careers Expo draws thousands to Porirua May 11, 2026 More than 3200 students, school leavers and future jobseekers streamed through Te Rauparaha Arena on Tuesday for the third Porirua Careers Expo, connecting rangatahi with… …

Promotional graphic for a free “Waste and your workplace” seminar featuring waste expert Kate Fenwick, with a landfill background and Porirua City branding.

Porirua seminar tackles workplace waste May 5, 2026 Porirua businesses can get free advice on cutting waste and saving money at a workplace waste seminar in May. Waste and Your Workplace will be… …

Colourful mural featuring a flying stitchbird with golden wings beside bold rainbow geometric shapes.

Porirua mural celebrates rainbow rangatahi May 1, 2026 A new mural celebrating Porirua’s rainbow community has been installed in the city centre after rangatahi first requested the project during a council planning process… …

BizFest returns, top speakers set for Porirua April 30, 2026 Porirua’s second BizFest will bring high-profile speakers and a strong focus on collaboration when it returns to Te Rauparaha Arena on 21 July. The one-day… …

Two Pasifika women stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera, wearing white tops, woven-style skirts with colourful patterns, and traditional adornments.

Porirua set to celebrate Pacific language weeks April 28, 2026 Porirua’s Pacific Language Weeks will return next month, with a series of cultural events and celebrations planned across the city to honour language, identity and… …

Eleven Porirua college students stand together at the start of their Mahi Rangatahi internships with Porirua City Council.

Porirua interns gain skills through council programme April 28, 2026 A group of Porirua secondary school students have begun hands-on work placements with Porirua City Council as part of the Mahi Rangatahi programme, now in… …

Three young people stand in front of a bright, multicoloured background. The person in the centre smiles and points directly at the camera, while the two on either side pose confidently, suggesting energy and enthusiasm.

Porirua Careers Expo returns, offers prizes and pathways April 22, 2026 The Porirua Careers Expo will return to Te Rauparaha Arena early next month, promising a full day of career inspiration, industry connections and practical support… …

Four children in scout uniforms playing in a wooded area, with two giving piggyback rides, smiling and interacting. Text reads “Making new friends”.

Scout group welcomes rangatahi and families in Titahi Bay April 12, 2026 A Porirua scout group is inviting new members to join its youth programmes, offering activities for children and teenagers across a range of age groups.… …

Helmut Modlik speaks at a podium during an event, addressing an audience.

Porirua to welcome Ngāti Toa charter school Kura Toa March 24, 2026 An iwi-led charter school backed by Ngāti Toa is set to open in Porirua in Term 3 next year, expanding kaupapa Māori education options in… …

Students gather around exhibition stands during the Careers Expo 2025 at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.

Porirua keeping tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of the city March 15, 2026 Porirua City Council says it is continuing to prioritise young people across the city, with a new report outlining initiatives and programmes supporting tamariki and… …

Students plant a young native tree during a streamside planting day in Porirua.

Over 100,000 plants planned for Porirua streams March 12, 2026 More than 100,000 native plants will be planted along Porirua’s waterways this year as the city expands its streamside restoration programme aimed at improving the… …

Porirua City Councillor Ross Leggett standing beside a Drive 4 Life training car

Porirua’s Drive 4 Life programme seeks volunteer driver mentors March 5, 2026 A Porirua programme helping young people gain their driver licences is calling for more volunteer driver mentors to support learners. The Drive 4 Life programme,… …

A row of children’s bicycles parked under a wooden shelter at school, alongside a young child wearing a bright green helmet riding a small bike along a footpath.

Porirua tamariki lead active travel push March 2, 2026 Hundreds of tamariki across Porirua are expected to swap car rides for walking shoes, bikes and bus passes this month as Movin’March returns for its… …

Pātaka hosts dual Fred Graham exhibitions (February 24, 2026) Pātaka Art + Museum is hosting two significant exhibitions honouring the life and work of renowned Māori sculptor and carver Fred Graham, offering Porirua residents… ...

Great Local Businesses Supporting Community News in Porirua (February 18, 2026) Nine more local businesses are now supporting community news in Porirua after joining the Porirua News Business Directory, bringing together a mix of creative services,… ...

Great Local Businesses Supporting Community News in Porirua (February 11, 2026) A big welcome to nine more local businesses and organisations that are now part of the Porirua News Business Directory. Their support helps keep community… ...

Rates capping could hit Porirua transport and flood protection (February 7, 2026) Critical services relied on by Porirua residents, including public transport and flood protection, could be compromised if the Government proceeds with its proposed rates capping… ...

Waitangi weekend to fill Porirua with music and rugby (January 23, 2026) Porirua is set for a busy Waitangi weekend, with free whānau-focused celebrations on Waitangi Day followed by a pre-season Super Rugby clash at Jerry Collins… ...

Porirua 10-year-old passes NCEA (January 20, 2026) A Porirua Year 6 student has passed NCEA and Cambridge exams years before most teenagers even begin sitting them. Raymond Hsu, 10, achieved Merit grades… ...

Porirua-born Nathaniel Salmon accepts US college offer (January 14, 2026) Porirua-born athlete Nathaniel Salmon has accepted an offer to play college American football for the Washington State Cougars, following an unusual journey that has taken… ...

Titahi Bay juniors stand out at Wellington meet (January 4, 2026) Young athletes from Titahi Bay delivered an impressive set of performances at a Pre-Colgate Games mini meet held at Newtown Park Stadium in Wellington, finishing… ...

Porirua City Brass backs young musicians (December 24, 2025) Porirua City Brass is performing alongside young local musicians this week, giving members of the Porirua Youth Band a chance to play in front of… ...

Porirua doctor builds following inspiring future surgeons (December 21, 2025) A Porirua-raised Māori-Pasifika doctor is using social media to inspire young people to see a future for themselves in medicine and surgery. Dr Kyla Matenga,… ...

Council allocates grants for Waste Reduction and Youth Initiatives (December 20, 2025) More than $100,000 in waste minimisation grants and $36,000 from the Young People’s Fund have been approved by Porirua City Council, supporting projects aimed at… ...

Council Christmas hours set for libraries, pools and rubbish collection (December 17, 2025) Porirua libraries and council services will operate on reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year period, with most facilities closing from Christmas Day and… ...

Porirua families feel the pressure as Barnardos calls for Christmas support (December 9, 2025) With Christmas approaching, Barnardos Aotearoa is seeing growing demand from families in Porirua and is calling on the community to help keep tamariki safe during… ...

Final Funds from Derek Wootton Trust Support Porirua Youth (November 27, 2025) The Derek Wootton Memorial Trust has made its final act of generosity by donating its remaining funds to a cause close to its mission. Established… ...

Titahi Bay Faces School Closure as Reforms Reshape Education (November 25, 2025) St Pius X Catholic Primary School in Titahi Bay will close at the end of 2026, following a government decision that has left the community… ...

Porirua marks Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week with flag-raising ceremony (November 24, 2025) Porirua celebrated the beginning of Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik this morning with a vibrant flag-raising ceremony, signalling the start of a week dedicated to… ...

Old materials, new life: Scooter track opens at Ngāti Toa Domain (November 19, 2025) An under-used pathway in Paremata has been transformed into a colourful scooter track, giving new life to old materials and creating a fresh play space… ...

Aotea College Crowned Girls Sevens Champions (November 10, 2025) Aotea College’s Under 15 Girls Sevens team has claimed the 2025 College Sport Wellington (CSW) Rugby Sevens title, defeating Wellington Girls’ College 24–22 in a… ...

Hidden Gems: ‘Books Worth Keeping’ – A Treasure Trove in Kenepuru (November 9, 2025) Tucked away in an unassuming unit on Kenepuru Drive, Books Worth Keeping is one of Porirua’s best-kept secrets. This second-hand bookshop feels like stepping into… ...

Column From Mayor Anita Baker: Thank You, Porirua (November 1, 2025) Column by Porirua Mayor, Anita Baker With the election period concluded and after the result of special votes I want to express my deep gratitude… ...