Te Rau Puāwai Education Trust supports educational initiatives that draw on collaboration and evidence, to increase capabilities of individuals and communities, to maximise their potential and create a more equitable society.

Te Rau Puāwai Education Trust was generously gifted its name by former Director Paora Puru (Ngāti Te Ata, Waiohua).  Paora defined Te Rau Puāwai as “the leaf or frond that blossoms” which connects to the work the Trust does to support students, whānau, kaiako and communities to flourish through education.  The aim of Te Rau Puāwai is to ensure that all children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand have the educational opportunities to help them thrive and reach their potential.

The Trust invests in educational research, initiatives, interventions and projects that address inequalities in particular for Māori, Pasifika and neurodiverse learners.  Funding is provided to enhance learner outcomes and increase teacher effectiveness.

Learning outcomes encompass both the social and the cognitive capabilities valued in our society.  The definition of 'teacher' embraces a broad range of people who impact on a student’s learning outcomes and includes members of the teaching profession, related professions, support staff, parents, family and whanau and the wider community.

The Trust is a registered NZ Charity and 100% shareholder of Cognition Education Ltd.