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Miss Kingi – Dame Georgina, that is – has been at St Joseph Māori Girls’ College just about forever. Several generations … as a pupil, as a teacher, as principal.
She took over as principal in 1987 when the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission stepped away from running the school.
Always known as “Miss Kingi,” the retiring principal (pictured left) worked at St Joseph’s for over sixty years.
Māori education is her passion. When asked why she stayed at St Joseph’s so long, she says “I guess … because of Maori achievement … I stayed to help … and you do get fond of teaching staff…”.
Her pupils do well because her standards are high. Homework and discipline are priorities.
Former pupil Dame Hinewehi Mohi says Miss Kingi is known for her refusal to compromise over what she thought best for St Joseph’s girls.
She’s not one to mince words either, former pupil Moana Maniapoto (pictured right) recalls.
She is much honoured, though – five hundred former pupils turned out for her last karakia as principal at the end of last term to sing her praises.
“In her speech, she was having none of that” Mohi says.
“She was still talking about the importance of supporting young Māori women as leaders of our people.
“I’m in awe of what she has done … in setting me on a really inspired process of finding where I can do my duty and do my bit based on her role-modelling and leadership.”
What now?
Perhaps not surprisingly, given Miss Kingi’s passion for education, the next phase of her life will involve serving on a four-person Māori education advisory group to improve outcomes for Māori learners.
Established by Education Minister Erica Stanford, the group will focus on improving achievement for Māori learners and “closing the equity gap that has persisted for too long in the education system”.
The group will provide independent advice on “all matters related to Māori education in English and Māori medium settings”.
Dr Wayne Ngata will chair the committee and report directly to the Minister in September 2026.
Ngata strongly advocates for revitalising te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori, and he brings experience in academic, management and governance roles.
The other two members of the Māori advisory group are education leader Olivia Hall and Will Workman, Māori’s social and economic policy advisor and public policy practitioner.
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