This article tells a story of struggles and triumphs experienced by the Motatau Maori community located in the Bay of Islands, Nezv Zealand, as they took local control of their school. The impact of educational reforms, government policies, re­sponsibilities of the Board of Trustees, and curriculum innovation are examined through participant observation, interviews, and critical reflection. Successive governments have placed Maori people in difficult situations where they have had to take on responsibility for administering their school with insufficient financial resources while the government maintains real power over the curriculum and policies. The researcher and community realize the importance of fully under­ standing one's history through examining power relations and then using the power of culture and community commitment to their children to provide quality education.