Nga Puna o Waiorea has been established and in operation for over 15 years. The Kura started as a bilingual unit and for the past six years has operated under the philosophy of total immersion. 1999 saw the graduation of the first Rumaki seventh formers who had started as third formers in the whanau five years earlier. Currently there are approximately 60 students in the Rumaki.

The subjects and curriculum areas offered by the Rumaki follow the national curriculum and are planned in consultation with the relevant department heads in the mainstream school. Delivery of content is through the medium of Te Reo Maori and focuses on topics relevant to Maori.

Academic achievement is a focus for the unit. The Rumaki homework centre operates on Thursdays after school and is staffed by experienced and specialist tutors. Kapa Haka is another important aspect of life in the whanau but it is certainly not the only thing Rumaki students excel at.

A high proportion of Rumaki students play sport or are involved in other extracurricular activities. In and out of the classroom, Rumaki students enjoy being together and supporting one another as a whanau. After 5 years in the Rumaki students are well equipped to move on to tertiary education where they enjoy success in a variety of employment fields including medicine, engineering, accounting and computer studies.