Pukepoto School is a small rural contributing school situated eight kilometres from Kaitaia on the Kaitaia-Awaroa Highway.
There are at present 2 full-time teaching staff and 2 classrooms- Years 0-3 and Years 4-6.
We have a modern administration block as well as a multi-purpose hall and a fully refurbished school library/art gallery that we are very proud of. Pukepoto school is well-resourced in all curriculum areas with one-to-one devices in both rooms (iPads and Chromebooks) as well as Active Smartboards/Panels in all classrooms.
The entrance to our school is via a concrete bus bay and through a carved archway, which forms a prominent feature of our school grounds.
Special features of Pukepoto school include a swimming pool, tennis and basketball court, large play areas and equipment, attractive well-maintained gardens and grounds, a school orchard, creek area with our own pet tuna, and wetlands which are currently being re-developed. We also have school gardens, with worm farms and composting bins onsite to make our own rich soil and nutrients to grow our seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Our students enjoy a rural outlook and relatively low pupil/teacher ratios, enabling us to provide more one-to-one time and extra support.
Pukepoto has a tradition of whanau returning to enrol their families.
One of the strengths of our school is the caring extended family atmosphere and a community which supports the learning, cultural needs, and a strong sense of belonging to Pukepoto School.
'To provide for our children an education that will prepare them for life.'
'One of the strengths of the school is the caring extended family atmosphere and a community which supports the learning, cultural needs and a strong sense of belonging to Pukepoto School.'
TERM DATES 2026
Term 1
Wednesday 28 January - Thursday 2 April
Term 2
Monday 20 April - Friday 3 July
Term 3
Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September
Term 4
Monday 12 October - Tuesday 15 December (tbc)
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2026
Waitangi Day
Friday 6 February 2026
King's Birthday
Monday 1 June 2026
Matariki Friday
Friday 10 July 2026
Labour Day
Monday 26 October 2026
BELL TIMES
8.25 - 8.45 Breakfast Club
8.50 - 10.30 Instruction
10.30 – 10.50 Interval
10.50 – 12.30 Instruction
12.30 – 1.10 Lunch Break
1.10 – 2.35 Instruction
2.40pm School Finishes
School grounds open at 8.15am – Monday to Friday
School Grounds close at 3.15pm