What We Do
The InZone Education Foundation is a New Zealand registered charitable trust that aims to inspire and support Māori and Pasifika rangatahi to take their place in the cultural, economic and civic leadership of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We do this by providing kāinga (hostels) that are “in zone” for high-performing schools, and by partnering with those schools so our students achieve top educational outcomes.
In their words
Filmed in 2018, InZone rangatahi share what it’s like to leave home, find whānau in the kāinga, and keep on track with nightly prep.
Our Kāinga let our students live and learn in a supportive whānau environment with a Māori and Christian kaupapa. In this environment, we aim to support, inspire and empower our rangatahi to reach their full potential.
From the outset, InZone recognised that educational success isn’t just about the school a student attends. It’s also about the environment they live in, the support they receive and the values embedded in that care.
“Me Rangatira te tū – Carry yourself like a rangatira” is the whakataukī that drives our culture. To live it, our focus is giving students the level of care and support for their learning that a strong, loving whānau would provide.
Key to this model is that our students live full-time at the kāinga. They’re immersed in a whānau environment that actively promotes Our Values: They’re immersed in a whānau environment that actively promotes our values: Manaakitanga (generosity, aroha, loyalty), Kia Tika, Kia Pono (respect, integrity, fairness, tautoko), Kia Māia (courage, determination, striving for excellence) and Kotahitanga (unity, solidarity, common purpose).
Academic Support
Our kāinga place a strong emphasis on students achieving their academic best. This has been a key focus for InZone, given that NCEA achievement rates for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi remain lower than for other groups.
Our evening Ako programme ensures rangatahi are well equipped to reach their academic potential. We provide personalised tutoring in partnership with Kip McGrath Education Centres, who specialise in literacy and numeracy. Rangatahi keep ako diaries to reflect on the week behind them and prepare for the week ahead, which keeps them on track and helps us follow their academic journey.
Our boarding team works closely with our partner schools on both academic matters (with Year Level Deans and Heads of Department) and pastoral matters (with Careers and Guidance), so support from school and kāinga is consistent. We also support students with career planning, helping them identify courses of study, scholarships and pathways to employment. Read some of our Alumni stories.
The results speak for themselves. In 2025, our girls achieved a 100% pass rate at NCEA Levels 2 and 3 and in Cambridge. See more on Our Impact.
Whakawhanaungatanga Week
Every January, our new Year 9 tauira attend Whakawhanaungatanga Week. It gives them an academic head start as they adjust to the standards expected at Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar School, and a chance to bond with their cohort. In partnership with Kip McGrath Education Centres, we run academic sessions following PAT testing to give our rangatahi the best possible start.
Tikanga Māori
Our kāinga have a Tikanga Māori kaupapa underpinned by inter-denominational Christian values and practices. We aim to deliver a culturally grounded kaupapa that equips our boys and girls to move confidently between Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā.
Every rangatahi takes part in a strengthened Mātauranga Māori programme over their five-year journey at InZone, including regular kapa haka and tikanga sessions, noho marae with associated wānanga, and exposure to te reo Māori.
Faith and Pastoral Care
Our kāinga are grounded in inter-denominational Christian values, and pastoral care is at the heart of daily life. Our kaiāwhina support rangatahi around the clock during term time, whether they need help with homework, a quiet word or encouragement.
Beyond the classroom, rangatahi take part in goal setting, career advice, mentoring, financial literacy and public speaking training, and visits from inspirational speakers, all building the strength of character they’ll need as leaders. See what this looks like day to day in A Day in the Life.
Be part of the InZone story"
Whether you’re whānau looking for the right place for your rangatahi, or someone who’d like to help open doors for the next generation, there’s a place for you here.
