Education Minister Hekia Parata says the problems at Hato Petera College are a reflection of how the Catholic Church runs its Maori boarding kura. She said the issues have always been in the church’s hands – and not the government’s. Parata was responding to a call by New Zealand First’s education spokesperson, Tracy Martin, for Read more
The Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, has called for a full scale review of Maori education. When approached by the New Zealand Herald about the future of Hato Petera College, he said the church had serious concerns about the falling roll at the college – which is now below 100 – and wanted to do Read more
About 1200 people from a dozen Maori Catholic clubs from Opononi to Poneke have gathered at Flaxmere College in Hastings for the 69th Hui Aranga. It’s five days of singing, sports, speech and drama competitions, religious quizzes and prayer. Organising committee member Julie Tangaere says a highlight is always the choral and solo singing. She Read more
Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa chair Sr Tui Cadigan has expressed hope that Rome will be able to find a way to appoint a Maori bishop to help boost the faith of Maori. She said: “We have to be mindful of the fact that Takuira has been gone now for about 10 Read more
The Mass in Te Reo was slowly dying because of a lack of priests who could celebrate it in Maori according to the Bishop Christchurch, Barry Jones. He voiced his concerns at the most recent New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Jones believed he is the only priest in the South Island who can speak Te Read more
In its report on Hato Petera College the Education Review Office said: “A Treaty of Waitangi claim against the Catholic Diocese from old boys of the school, relating to the historical Deed of Trust for the property surrounding the school, is affecting school and Diocese relationships at present.” The claim centres on the land where Read more
The Labour Party has been advising the Diocese of Auckland about how to resolve issues that have arisen regarding Hato Petera College. An Education Review Office (ERO) report says there is a lack of accord between Hato Petera College and the Auckland Diocese. The report says it is not clear who has responsibility for the Read more
A well-known kaumatua, Paul Pōnui Kimiora Carr, passed away suddenly and peacefully in his home on Thursday 13 November 2014. Paul was a great story teller and had many stories to tell. One was how on one occasion, when he was working as a driver for the government, he was blessed with the honour of Read more
Being raised a Catholic under the shadow of her Maori grandmother gave her a strong spiritual foundation, says well known New Zealand actor Rena Owen. Her mother Cynthia didn’t fancy calling her Mary, so she got the Maori version of Magdalene – Maria Makarena – instead. “I’ve always, for as long as I remember, had Read more
Hato Paora College, in Cheltenham, near Feilding in New Zealand has won a National School of Character Award recognising its efforts in encouraging positive results for student behaviour, citizenship, school culture and academic achievement. Winning schools are those able to demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives fostering success among students. The Maori boys’ Catholic boarding school Read more