In each of our learning pathways special emphasis is placed on catering for the individual needs of all students in our school community. The Ōtaki School curriculum therefore caters for all students inclusive of gender, ethnicity and ability. The teaching and learning reflects our lives here in Te Rohe o Ngāti Raukawa.

Te Korowai Whakamana is our total immersion unit which consists of four classes catering to students from Year 1 - 8. This pathway is for kōhanga reo graduates and whānau who would like their children to be educated in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga. After eight years in this programme, these talented high achievers graduate as fluent speakers, readers and writers of te reo.

Ngāi Kete is our bilingual pathway which offers learning programmes in both English and Māori for students from Year 0 - 6. While the majority of the instruction is in English, there is a fair amount of te reo Māori spoken and taught in the class.

The classrooms in Ngāi Kete range from level 4 bilingual through to level 2 bilingual. In Level 2, the children are taught in Māori for between 51% and 80% of the time. Level 3 is between 31% and 50% teaching in Māori and Level 4 is between 12% and 30% teaching in Māori.

Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga play an important role in Ngāi Kete, while also embracing multi-culturalism, enjoying the richness and diversity presented by the many cultures here..