Located in Naenae, Lower Hutt, Wā Ora has been educating children using the Montessori philosophy for over 35 years. While the Montessori method of education has not changed over time, the physical environment at Wā Ora certainly has.

Wā Ora was established in 1988 by a small group of passionate parents and began its existence with one preschool class. A term later a class of eleven students aged 6-9 years followed, making it the first Montessori primary school in the Hutt Valley. Soon after, an intermediate-aged 9-12 class was added.

As Wā Ora’s roll grew, and more classrooms were added, the idea of a high school evolved. After much effort and commitment, this time by another group of dedicated parents, the adolescent programme was established in 2009 with the college programme following on in 2012.

Continual renovations and expansion have provided wonderful new and modern learning spaces, both indoor and out, for students at all stages of the school.

These monumental changes over the school’s history now allow a family to choose Wā Ora as the sole provider for all the educational needs of its children, from birth through to 18 years of age. As a state integrated school, Wā Ora is able to offer an authentic Montessori education to its students more affordably than anywhere else in the world.