Welcome to Pukekawa
School
Explore and connect with our school community
RICHER VALUES
At the heart of our school is a commitment to preparing students for lifelong learning. We strive to create an environment where every learner feels a strong sense of belonging, believes in themselves, and develops the confidence and passion to reach their full potential.
We proudly teach and live by our RICHER values:
Respect • Initiative • Confidence • Honesty • Excellence • Responsibility
These values guide everything we do — shaping not just successful learners, but kind, capable individuals who are ready to thrive in school and beyond.
School Hours
Our school day starts at 8.25am and finishes at 2.25pm.
We recommend that students are at school by 8.15am, as this gives them time to hang up their bag, catch up with friends and have a run around before the day begins.
Uniforms
ABOUT PUKEKAWA SCHOOL
Pukekawa School is a well-resourced rural school located on Highway 22 in the heart of Pukekawa, with a current roll of approximately 92 students and seven dedicated teaching staff.
Our facilities include four classrooms, a library, administration building, two resource rooms, a swimming pool, a hall, a large playground, and an expansive field with extensive garden areas that encourage outdoor play and exploration. We also provide an After School Care service, run onsite in a dedicated classroom by an independent provider for your convenience.
Most of our students live in the greater Pukekawa area, with others travelling from nearby communities such as Tuakau, Onewhero, and Glen Murray. The school roll has remained steady over the past four years, with promising potential for future growth due to the southward expansion of Auckland and our growing reputation for providing quality education in a supportive environment.
Pukekawa School is fortunate to have the strong support of a dedicated Board, who are committed to the school’s strategic vision, along with a passionate Calf Club Committee.
We’re also proud of our active and engaged community, which plays a key role in school life.
Our students enjoy participating in a wide variety of events throughout the year. Senior students take part in inter-school competitions through the River Group Schools for swimming, athletics, and cross country.
A highlight of our school calendar is the annual Calf Club Day in Term 4 — a valued rural community celebration and an important fundraising event.
MEET OUR PRINCIPAL
Pukekawa School is incredibly fortunate to have Josie Redmond at the helm — a dedicated educator with over thirty years of teaching experience.
Josie has a real passion for small rural schools and treasures the special opportunities they provide for her students. At Pukekawa School, the relationships between students and staff are genuine and unique — every child is known, cared for, and celebrated. Parents and whaanau are an important part of this journey too, working closely alongside staff to support their children’s learning and growth. As principal, Josie believes it’s non-negotiable that every student achieves success, makes progress in their learning, and most importantly, feels valued and supported in the Pukekawa School community.
Josie is known for her no-nonsense approach, strong leadership, and ability to handle any situation with confidence and clarity. With a wealth of experience behind her, she brings firm but fair guidance to every challenge, earning the respect of both students and staff alike.
Josie is deeply compassionate and approachable, always striving to do what’s best for the school community. Her open-door policy reflects her inclusive and supportive leadership style; she may not always have all the answers, but she’s always ready to listen, support, and find a way forward together.