Arihia Stirling steps down, leaving a legacy of leadership, learning, and love
- 275times
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
After almost 30 years at the helm of Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae, respected tumuaki (principal) Arihia Stirling has announced her retirement - marking the end of an era for one of Aotearoa’s most influential educators.
Stirling, who has dedicated more than 40 years to teaching, first revealed her retirement decision during a professional development session she was leading on the topic of “Inspiring, Aspiring and Expiring Principalship.”
While speaking about the importance of succession planning, she had what she describes as an "aha moment".
“I was listening to what I was saying and then I was like, am I that person?” she said.
“The true proof for me and my leadership is that the school stays standing [after I leave].”
Her retirement announcement set off a two-year process of careful planning, with Harley Mariu eventually appointed to take over as principal at the end of the year. Stirling, meanwhile, will remain involved part-time, overseeing new projects including a health and wellbeing strategy and the construction of a new auditorium.
“It has [been] a two year grieving process - so that was very hard. But the re-designing stuff was really exciting.”
In 2023, Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae had the highest NCEA achievement rate of all secondary schools in Aotearoa, and at the end of 2024, Arihia was recognised as one of Australasia’s outstanding educators at the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA), winning a Founders’ Principal for Leadership Award - the only principal in New Zealand to have done so.
But despite the accolades, Stirling is quick to credit her community.
“Stuff like this doesn't happen because of one person. Stuff like this happens because communities dare to think differently.
"So my community has grown up with an understanding that learning is power.”
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