Our next Preschool Information Evening will be on Thursday 5th November 2026 from 7pm to 8:30pm. More details here.

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Welcome to

Wā Ora Montessori

Wā Ora Montessori is unlike any other school. Our community of teachers and families are passionate about educating and nurturing every aspect of a child and enabling them to become the best possible version of themselves. We’re equally committed to ensuring we provide the best learning environment and are continually challenging ourselves to deliver a Montessori experience that’s referenced the world over.

Over the last 35 years we’ve grown from providing Wellington with its first Montessori Primary school to becoming the only school in New Zealand to offer an authentic Montessori education for toddlers right through to teens. We believe our unique combination of Montessori curriculum, learning materials, environment, and community will recognise your child’s full potential and enable them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to live and succeed in today’s changing world.

What’s happening at Wā Ora

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Our School

Over the last 35 years we’ve grown from providing Wellington with its first Montessori Primary school to becoming the only school in New Zealand to offer an authentic Montessori education for toddlers right through to teens.

Preschool is the foundation of a Montessori education. We offer a full programme for children aged birth to six years.

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Preschool tamariki transition to our primary school when they turn six, where they encounter familiar faces and materials, in an environment designed for their next phase of learning.

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Staff ratios are high in our high school, supporting our adolescents’ move through NCEA and towards adulthood.

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Wā Ora’s
Special Character

The Montessori philosophy is fundamental to the existence of the school. We aim to provide an education founded on the teaching methods of Dr Montessori within a classroom designed to complement those methods. The effect is an environment, which encourages the integrated development of the individual child.

Our Purpose

To support each child’s physical, moral, social, emotional and intellectual development so they can be the best they can be, believe in their intrinsic worth and have a positive influence on the world

Our future ideal

A collaborative community offering an authentic Montessori education experience from 3 years to 18 years.

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What our parents say about Wā Ora

“Wā Ora is the most beautiful school. My children have started in the Playgroup and moved seamlessly through to Preschool and Primary School. They have flourished socially, emotionally and academically. The school community is so supportive. The teachers are so dedicated. Choosing Wā Ora for our children’s education will forever be one of our best parenting decisions. I can’t recommend it more highly.”
Megan R.
Megan R.Parent
“Our son, Xervier, came to Wā Ora Montessori at the age of 8, as a transfer from Montessori East in Bondi, Sydney, Australia.  Xervier was the first student with Down syndrome that either school had ever had, but the approach of the Principal and staff was the same in both cases.  It was felt that the school and its students would benefit as much by having Xervier as a classmate as he would by learning in the environment.  After 13 years in Montessori education, we would agree.  Xervier's classmates are thoughtful and considerate and they naturally include him in a wide range of activities without apparent effort.”
Paul D and Sabine C.
Paul D and Sabine C.Parents
“I am so grateful that my children have the opportunity to follow their interests at Wā Ora, with kaiako who balance and support them in navigating their own learning journey. This style of teaching inspires curiosity, and has nurtured a love of learning in all three of my very different children- allowing each to thrive independently.”
Char B.
Char B.Parent
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Privacy Policy

We will use and disclose your child’s information only in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Under the act, you may request access to, and correction of, the information, at any time. Details about your child’s identity will be shared with the Ministry of Education so that it can allocate a national student number for your child which will be used for research, statistics, funding, and the measurement of educational outcomes. The information is held at Wā Ora Montessori School, 278 Waddington Drive, Naenae, Lower Hutt.