Te Wharekura o Mauao is a special character school (Tau 7 – 13), under section 156 of The Education Act 1989.

The primary language spoken at Te Wharekura o Mauao is Te Reo Māori. The Wharekura caters for the needs of those who wish to be educated in Te Reo Māori, and in a Māori environment.

Te Wharekura o Mauao is affiliated to Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi Aotearoa Incorporated, an established professional educational network for Māori medium kura. This gives the Wharekura the ability to take ownership of key strategic aims and objectives with educational focus, aligned with the aspirations of ngā iwi o Tauranga Moana. The essence of Tauranga Moana identity is its diversity of iwi. This is as strong today as it has been historically. The Wharekura community continues to faithfully support all hui-ā-iwi and provide unity, cohesion and vision.​

The people are proud of their identity as Tauranga Moana, and support their marae and hapū. We draw upon and incorporate the aspirations and plans expressed in the Ngāi Te Rangi Mahere Rautaki, Te Pūtiki Wharanui ā Tamatea and the Tauranga Moana Reo Māori strategy.