Generations of former students gathered to reminisce about their time at the celebrated school.

As one past pupil said: "We are unique. We are the only Maori Catholic Boys College in the world! So let's remember; let's celebrate; let's build a sustainable future".

Beginning with a powhiri welcoming 350 manuhiri - visitors and old boys - the weekend's celebrations include a banquet dinner, an archive exhibition and a special Mass with Cardinal John Dew.

Hato Paora opened in 1947, led by the founding rector, Pa Ihaka Gupwell.

In those days all the teachers were priests. The last of them left the school in 1994.

The school's vision was to create an environment for boys to grow into young men with strong te reo and tikanga Maori and to promote Catholic and Maori values, provide a solid education and encourage achievement and success.

Two early boarders at the school who returned for the weekend are Hoani Heremaia and Vivian Broughton.

They recall their time as boarders vividly.

Broughton says he risked punishment by raiding the orchard of apples and nuts, burying them and eating them later.

Even though some of the priests used the cane on miscreants, Broughton doesn't bear them any malice.

"It wasn't too bad. They were all pretty good when you got to know them as long as you behaved yourself," he recalled.

Heremaia said the school hadn't been open for long when they started and there were 60 to 70 boys there in those days.

Tiwana Tibble's last year at Hato Paora was in 1975 and since he and his five brothers attended, two more generations of his family had gone through the school.

His two sons and three grandsons went to Hato Paora, with his last grandson finishing last year.

"We had a strong relationship with the school over the time."

Tibble remembered being taught by the priests, including one father who was his maths teacher, as he went on to become an accountant.

But things had changed at the school since his day.

"It's probably a bit better now."

That number of students has fluctuated over time. The aim is to build numbers again, says current Principal, Nathan Mathews.

"The present roll is 100 with an aim to build to 130. This in part to recover from Covid times. Pupils come from various parts of New Zealand and now from local areas such as Feilding and Palmerston as well," Mathews says.

At present, he and Tata Lawton (current College Trust Board Chair) are co-authoring ‘A History of the Song of Paorangi', an account of the life of the College down the generations.

The Catholic Maori boys boarding school is one of only three Maori boarding schools left in New Zealand, but the school works hard to keep its special character alive through whanau links.

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"The ability to upgrade our facilities is timely.

Our preference would be to put it into pastoral care, because [students] spend 17 hours in the living environment and only seven hours in the school."

The school had not had any major upgrades in the past 15 years and the living quarters for the boys had not been upgraded since the 1990s, Matthews said.

"It's good to see the Government is considering Maori boarding schools because it does sit on the margins for policy decisions."

"It's a sign of the times that people are starting to see how valuable these schools are."

As well as Hato Paora, three Hawke's Bay schools, Hukarere Girls' College, St Joseph's Maori Girls' College and Te Aute College, would be eligible for money from the fund.

Matthews was concerned about how the fund would be distributed but was hopeful each school would get an equal share.

"For me, I would like to think they get $5m of it each. I would hate to think it would be divisive and for us to compete."

Te Tai Hauauru Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe​ says it's not yet been decided how the money would be allocated between the four schools; however, it would be "fairly open-ended."

"Schools will be able to invest money from the fund into pastoral care, property, education, or anything they view as needing a boost."

Te Aute College principal Shane Hiha says the school appreciates any political party that supports the "special character" of Maori boarding schools.

The money would help Hukarere College, St Joseph's Maori Girls' College and Te Aute College, Hiha said.

Source

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Only four of an original nine schools remain in Aotearoa; Hukarere College, St Joseph's Maori Girls' College and Te Aute College in Hawke's Bay (Ikaroa-Rawhiti) and Hato Paora College in Feilding (Te Tai Hauauru).

Hato Tipene closed its doors in 2000 followed by their sister school Kuini Wikitoria in 2001.

Turakina shut down in 2015 and now Hato Petera, based in North Auckland in 2019.

Te Aute College principal Shane Hiha says the school appreciates any political party that supports the "special character" of Maori boarding schools.

"By no stretch of the imagination are we rich schools," he said.

"A number of Maori represent the negative statistics in society and to help them get an education is really important.

"We have 60 boarders and there is every indication that we will have more next year.

Labour's Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidate Meka Whaitiri said Maori boarding schools carry on a tradition that has grown many great Maori leaders.

"This is a significant commitment acknowledging the history and legacy of these iconic Maori boarding schools and how they continue to contribute to Maoridom and the nation today," Whaitiri said.

"The rangatahi who attend these schools live and breathe Tikanga, reo and develop a sense of whanaungatanga that can only be achieved inside these unique institutions.

"Successive governments have given up on Maori boarding schools, but Labour believes in the unique role they play, not just in educating rangatahi, but in instilling Maori values in the next generation of leaders.

Source

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Students from Hato Paora College took part in a programme.

The photograph above shows Hato Paora College students trying to build a hydraulic arm powered by syringes.

"We're building a Lego robot that can move by using syringes and minimal materials," said Ihaka Komene, one of the students.

During the day, the students did six challenges related to different Maori legends.

One legend was the battle between Maui and the sun, which tells the tale of Maui slowing down the sun to make the days longer.
Students created a maze to slow down the journey of a marble so it would reach the bottom of the path at specific times.

The day was part of the Amua Ao programme, an initiative to raise Maori participation and achievement in STEM subjects led by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Puhoro.

Puhoro Stem Academy was launched in 2016 in response to low national engagement of Maori in STEM-related career pathways.

That subsequently leads to lower numbers of Maori representation in science and technology industries in Aotearoa.

Puhoro seeks to change this space and recognises that a STEM workforce is required for an innovation-focused future society.
The programme works directly with secondary school students and their whanau across the country.

It provides students and whanau with mentoring, tutoring, wananga (experiential learning/field trips) within culturally appropriate settings.

These experiences help them navigate career pathways into science and technology-related industries.

"Source

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His former school Hato Paora College hosted the event.

Stone says he hopes events like this will help inspire the current students.

"I am now part of a judicial group who have to treat people fairly, administer justice fairly and in particular for our court assist our people to administer their land," he said.

"And the reason I did law was that Moana Jackson spoke at my senior prize giving here at this school.

"So I was kind of hoping [that] bringing it here might influence just one of the boys to want to study law at university."

During the swearing-in ceremony, justice Joseph Williams recalled the childhood of Judge Stone, who was a typical "grassroots" Maori boy raised in Porirua.

Williams said, "He was one of the people who gave me direction when I was a lawyer at Te Ohu Kaimoana. He finished there and moved on to the Bell Gully law firm, and then on to Kahui Legal, a Maori firm based in Wellington.

"He wanted this to be an example ... that aspiring to be in judicial office, with its comfortable salary and impressive superannuation scheme, is something you can aspire to, too," Williams said, poking fun at Stone.

"He believes in what he's trying to do - to power and strengthen the Maori community. It's no easy task."

Maori Land Court chief judge Wilson Isaac congratulated Stone and welcomed him to the court.

"There are a number of people who couldn't make your [ceremony] but, looking around, perhaps they wouldn't have fit."

The court is for Maori landowners to help them retain their land and know how to use and develop it.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• maoritelevision.com
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Former student Nathan Matthews has returned to his old stomping ground to lead the school. Continue reading

He is an old boy of the school and his son Caleb is the school's head boy this year.

Matthews will be formally welcomed next month but he doesn't start until 1 October.

Sean Bristow has been acting principal this year following the departure of Debra Marshall-Lobb.

Matthews completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Maori Studies in Te Tumu, at the University of Otago, completing his PhD in 2006.

He also taught te reo Maori and Maori performing arts in Te Tumu for a number of years.

In 2009 he moved to Massey University to take up the role of Maori doctoral studies coordinator.

Matthews was the founding principal of a partnership school in Whangarei, Te Kura Hourua o Whangarei Terenga Paraoa.

Most recently he has been at the school of indigenous graduate studies at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, in Whakatane.

His PhD thesis, He kura Maori, he kurahahi, he Kura katorika, he Kura motuhake mo te iwi.' Hato Paora College : a model of Maori Catholic education, examines the Society of Mary's establishment of Hato Paora College, Feilding, as an example of a Maori Catholic secondary boarding school.

Board of trustees chairwoman Chelsea Grootveld said Matthews strong vision and resolute commitment to uphold the integrity, traditions and values of Hato Paora College were fundamental in his appointment.

"We are delighted to know the school's future will be in great hands and our young men and future young Maori leaders will be guided and nurtured by such an outstanding Maori and academic leader."

Hato Paora has a role of about 130 students.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• ourarchive.otago.ac.nz
• blogs.otago.ac.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz /Warwick Smith

Hato Paora College principal, Sean Bristow, says most of his pupils are fulltime boarders. They miss out on driver training.

"Ninety-seven per cent of our boys are boarders and, with that, comes challenges around them being able to access providers for licences," he says.

"It's not practical for them to get the help they'd normally be able to get from whanau - Mum and Dad, aunties and uncles, brothers and sisters.

Bristow says the boys come from as far as the Chatham Islands and their parents may live in Germany or New York.

The training is provided by the National Driver Training Centre based near the school at Manfield.

Massey University's Dr Peter Rawlins supports the training.

He says it should be part of the curriculum. He argued this in a report called Steering Aotearoa Driving Training Pilot.

Manfeild Driver Centre

The Manfeild Driving Centre trains students to at least a learner or restricted licence.

That provides associated NCEA credits and a defensive driving certificate.

Last year some students earned their learner's licence.

This year they'll try to earn a restricted qualification.

To achieve that they'll drive the centre's electronic Toyota Prius under the guidance of its volunteer mentors.

Bristow says the centre makes young Maori more employable.

"If we can take students to the point they are on restricted or full licences when they apply for jobs, this, we think, will give them an advantage," he says.

Rawlins says cost is often a barrier to getting a full driver's licence.

He says it can result in illegal driving which also leads to infringements. That limits work opportunities.

He has presented his ideas to the Mayoral Task Force for Jobs. It supports a free driver's licence programme at NCEA level two.

Manfeild manager, Michael Barbour, says his organisation deals with barriers some learner drivers face when sitting the test.

They include access to a car and driving mentors to instill responsible and prudent driving habits.

"This is a community effort to keep us all safe on the road," he says.

Source:

• NZ Herald
• Image: NZ Herald

I'd never so much as knitted a scarf in my life, but somehow I got it into my head that he needed to take with him a taonga that I'd made with my own hands. I'm not a carver or a weaver, so a simple garter-stitch blanket seemed positively breezy by comparison to a pounamu necklace or finely tailored feather cloak.

The beauty of naivety is that you don't realise the error of your ways until it's too late. There were 26 balls of wool and they weren't cheap. The first ball took me three weeks to knit.

A friend helpfully pointed out that, at the rate I was going, I'd have it done by the time he was ready to graduate. That only strengthened my resolve. As the long, hot days of summer approached, I began to knit in earnest.

Looking back, I can see it was a way of preparing myself. I needed something to do with my hands while my head came to terms with a decision I never thought I'd make: to let my boy go at the age of just 13.

Every time I felt something close to certainty, the doubts immediately started to chip away at my conscience. What if he hates it, misses us too much, gets injured playing rugby, doesn't make friends, becomes a religious fanatic? I was equally troubled by the opposite scenarios.

What if he fits in too well, doesn't miss us at all, becomes obsessed with rugby and never wants to come home, or rebels against the church and gets kicked out? Continue reading

• Nadine Millar writes for E-Tangata, a Maori and Pasifika Sunday magazine.

Responding to the theme ‘The Time is Now!' that was set by competition organisers Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Year 12 student highlighted the importance of an immediate response to issues facing the earth and people around the globe in his funky, contemporary song.

"Being a teenager living in such a privileged land and having my first world country try to protect me from the troubles of the outside world angered me," says Nikau.

"I feel like I can't do a single thing to help the people I see on the news at night dying for no reason, or from warfare and poverty. All of these things inspired and encouraged me to write this song."

Hato Paora was the only school to have two finalists in the song writing competition, and Year 13 student Ihaia Ropata was also highly commended for his song Your Own, which is dedicated to child abuse victim Moko Rangitoheriri. The song challenges listeners to raise a hand to a child only in love.

Caritas staff will present the awards to the Hato Paora students on Sunday, 24 July, as Hato Paora students prepare to compete on the national stage at the National Secondary Schools Kapahaka Competition in Hastings.

The SINGout4JUSTICE competition for students is divided into a junior (Years 7-10) and senior section (Years 11-13), and the aim is to encourage young people to consider ways their song can express empathy for people in need. Each winner also receives $500 in prizes that will contribute to their musical development.

"It is important to ensure that the voices of young people are heard by decision makers and the wider public," says Caritas Director Julianne Hickey.

"SINGout4JUSTICE provides a platform for intermediate and secondary school students to share concerns on issues of importance to them, through the medium of song. We are delighted with the quality of entries in 2016, which display the awareness and concern of young people about contemporary issues of justice."

The joint winners of the junior category are Anna Tukuitoga from St Joseph's Catholic School in Paeroa and Naia Alkhouri from St Francis De Sales in Wellington.

The winning songs can be heard on the Caritas website www.caritas.org.nz/singout4justice

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• Supplied
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I had my first real exposure two weekends ago at the O'Shea Shield, hosted by Sacred Heart Girls' College in New Plymouth. This annual academic and social event involves 17 schools from the Wellington and Palmerston North dioceses. If, like me, you have no idea what a diocese is, think of it in Maori terms: a congregation is similar to a whanau, a parish to a hapu, and a diocese to an iwi.

The O'Shea Shield is like athletics for the intellect. Events include prepared and impromptu speeches, scripture readings in English and Maori, debates, drama, and religious questions. As a spectator more accustomed to the smell of Deep Heat mixed with oranges and mud, I discovered a whole new set of nerve endings as I sat in the audience that weekend.

Competition was stiff. Half the adults I know would have had a hard job debating the moot: Freedom of expression is more important than religious sensitivities. Let alone delivering a speech to a packed audience with only four minutes to prepare.

I could offer no advice, and tried my best to hide my expression of "rather you than me, kid!" as each student took to the stage for their different events. If their courage wasn't impressive enough, their humility and support of one another made me prouder still. This didn't just extend to their team-mates, but to the other competitors as well. During the frequent breaks between events, students from all over the motu mixed together easily, playing games and having a laugh.

Yet there were a few things that stood out for me. The first was Hato Paora's drama performance — and not just because my son was in it. The drama is probably the most coveted award of the O'Shea. Like the 100-metre sprint final, everyone wants to be there. Continue reading

• Nadine Millar writes for E-Tangata, a Maori and Pasifika Sunday magazine.

Hato Paora Trust Board, the group which runs Hato Paora College, has been told by the Employment Relations Authority it did not legally pay at least minimum wage to nine current and former employees who slept at the school's boarding department overnight.

The amount the school underpaid the employees is not clear from the judgment, as the authority was only asked to decide if the employees were underpaid. The school and employees were to decide between them how to resolve matters. Continue reading

Back in the day, boarding school parents didn't have much choice but to drop their kids off at the start of the term and hope for the best. An old boy of one Maori boarding school told me he has clear memories of a junior running down the long driveway in the dusty wake of his parents' car, begging not to be left behind.

Boy, they bred parents tough back then.

Nowadays, we're kept up to speed on the happenings at Hato Paora College thanks to a steady stream of social media updates, Facebook photos and Twitter feeds. It's just as well because, during those first few weeks, our boy sent precious few letters, and the ones that did make it home looked like they'd been written from a bomb shelter while under heavy fire. The first letter simply said: "I am alive." The second, barely legible in a red scrawl, requested more undies and munchies. Urgently.

People told us that by the time Gala Day came around at the end of that six weeks, we wouldn't recognise our boys. "They change so much," one mum said, all teary-eyed with nostalgia. I smiled politely, but didn't believe it for a second.

I was wrong, of course.

The first clue came in the third letter we received, just over four weeks in. It was three pages long — both sides of the paper. To put that in context, this is the kid who, before he left, could text with his eyes closed but couldn't hold a pen for longer than a minute without being struck down with cramp.

The second clue was that he used fractions to rate his subjects, listing them in order of preference, with maths topping the list. Yeah, I had to read that twice, too. When he signed the letter off, all he requested was more pens, "because I keep running out of ink." Continue reading

• Nadine Millar writes for E-Tangata, a Maori and Pasifika Sunday magazine.

Last month, the organising committee for the competition told boys-only schools they would have to swap poi routines for mau rakau - performances using taiaha.

But that change has now been revoked, following Hato Paora's protest.

The original poi ruling, just a few months out from the finals in July, was labelled "incredibly unfair" by Hato Paora College, which is in the Manawatu.

Principal Debi Marshall-Lobb said last month that mau rakau had never been part of kapa haka at the college.

She added that a poi-based routine was already being practised for the finals by Hato Paora when the change was announced.

The organising body, the Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua National Committee, said the poi changes had been supported unanimously by representatives from 14 regions.

They were aimed at making the competition more inclusive by enabling collaboration between single-sex schools.

Under the initial rule change, boys-only schools would not be marked for poi performances if they chose to include them in their routines during the finals, to be staged in Hawke's Bay.

Hato Paora College complained to the committee that it had not been directly consulted over the proposed change.

The committee sought further feedback, and said it had subsequently received views from more than 190 schools.

Then it decided to give single-sex schools the option to perform either poi routines or mau rakau.

Committee spokesman Willie Te Aho said that, of 39 competing schools, only one had objected to the substance of the original poi rule change.

While consultation did not result in "an overwhelming, clear-cut" consensus, Mr Te Aho said, the committee's decision had been welcomed and "the focus now is on hosting a great festival".

Sources

• Radio New Zealand
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Fr Noel's death brings to 4 the number of priests, who had a long association with the pastoral care of Maori Catholics, that have died in recent months.

He was ordained in 1942 and worked in a number of the Society of Mary's schools before being appointed the second rector of Hato Paora College in 1965.

Below is tribute to Fr Noel written when he was nominated Old Boy of the year in 2011.

In December 2011, Fr Noel will have completed 63 years of service as a priest,noted by his nephew Noel Sainsbury (S73-77) as a man whose quiet achievements are great but done with humility.

Fr Noel has been exemplary in his years of dedicated service in a truly Marist way of building communities through education, his love of music and in particular Maori & Pacific culture and language.

He is a role model to all old boys of how the gospels and Marist tradition can manifest themselves in a real way.

There is one gift above all others which won affection and admiration - his love of and knowledge of music. Singing and music became part of the school in a way that it had never been before.

He composed the English and Maori Mass that we have, a number of songs and hymns and it would be fair to say 'Hey Boy' became a rallying song for the school."........

"Father Delaney gave his utmost to Hato Paora College. They were demanding and exacting years but I feel he found, as so many others who have been associated with the college, that at the finish he gained more than he had given" (Fr Tomasi writing in 1973 Hato Paora College, Jubilee Magazine)

History

Born in Nuhaka, Hawkes Bay 12/10/1922, Fr Noel was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Waiora. He attended 'Stream' 1935-1940.

His memories of 'Stream' include; playing by the river, being 'clapped' up each morning for ranks and the steam train journey to Waiora. Excelling at Music, English and Athletics, he was made Captain of the McEvedy Shield, winning team in 1940.

In his duty as captain he accepted the shield from the then Prime Minister Peter Fraser. In the same year he became Head Boy and stayed on an extra year to complete his studies in Latin to prepare himself for the seminary.

In 1941, Noel began his studies towards the Marist priesthood at Higden Novigate, Feilding continuing on at Greenmeadows Seminary,Taradale.

His first appointment was St Bede's 1949 where he also took the opportunity to begin his studies in English partime at University. In 1950, Noel was transferred to Hato Paroa College and this where he embraced Maori culture in particular the education of Maori youth. This mirroring in some respects the early work of Marists in NZ .

In 1954, Noel was appointed to 'Stream' (his old school) where he also continued his studies at University taking up extra papers in Te Reo Maori.

Notable students during his time included;Peter Blake SM,Fred Bliss SM(rector 74-80) and historian Michael King. In Michael King's book "Being Pakeha" he described Fr Noel as one of the best teachers of English he has ever had. Holding various positions at the college he was the Master of Music and coach of athletics and rugby.

In 1964, Fr Noel held at brief appointment at St Johns College until he became the Rector of Hato Paora College in 1965.

He worked with Maori youth, built a strong community embracing whanau spirit ,the importance of education and Marist principles. To this day, he remains an icon of the college present and past.

In 1973, Noel was appointed as Vicar-Provincial of the Society of Mary in NZ.

He was also able to continue his work with Maori and Pasifika by being appointed Vicar Espsciplo in Wellington.

In 1975,Fr Noel was appointed to the role of Provincial of the Society of Mary in NZ, being responsible for 300 various Marists in NZ and around the world. During this time, Fr Noel was involved in the relocation of 'Town' to its present site in Evans Bay, until his term ended in 1981.

Over the next 10 years Fr Noel held various appointments including Chaplin, Fribourg, Switzerland (83), Lector, Greenmeadows Seminary(84), Master, Novigates,Highden(85) Marist Archives (86), Parish Priest St Mary's,Taradale (87-89), Assistant Parish Priest Waiora(91-93), Superior of the Marist Community Hataitai and finally returning to Silverstream in 1997.

Upon the withdrawal of Marists in 2000, Fr Noel became the Chaplain for the Home of Compassion in Silverstream, moving to his current residence of the Marist Community at Marian Court 2002.

Hato Paora Tribute to Fr Noel

Elvis Shepherd will be released on parole on November 9, having served more than half of his eight-year, four-month prison term.

The 54-year-old was imprisoned in 2010 for sexual offending against students of Auckland Maori Catholic boarding school Hato Petera College in the 1990s. Continue reading

Winning schools are those able to demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives fostering success among students.

The Maori boys' Catholic boarding school centred its culture on the principle that "respect plus responsibility equals results".

Principal Debra Marshall-Lobb said students were taught four simple rights - to be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing with the right attitude.

Palmerston North Boys' High School leadership director Paul King nominated the school, saying that Hato Paora was "leading in education and developing educated men of outstanding character".

A group of 20 Boys' High staff and students visited Hato Paora for a leadership exchange earlier this year, encouraging King to put the school's name forward for the award.

Other recipients this year included Rathkeale College, Otago Girls' High School, Hamilton Boys' High School, and Malfroy Primary School in Rotorua.

Source

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• PPTA
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This Concert is the initiative of the Wellington-based Old Boys who have worked together with some Wellington based parents and current whanau to organise this event.

Apart from getting to see the two Kapa Haka groups perform their brackets, the focus is on promoting both schools and also as a recruitment drive.

The programme for the Concert is as follows:

• · 3.30pm - Powhiri for both schools
• · 4.00pm - Concert is opened with a Performance by the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club - Junior section
• · 4.15pm - Turakina Maori Girls' College and address by Whaea Terehia Channing, Principal
• · 5.00pm - Address by Whaea Debi Marshall-Lobb and Old Boys
• · 5.30pm - Hato Paora Senior A Kapa Haka performance Read more

It said the school had been extra vigilant after problems in its audit last year, which may have caused delays.

Board chairman Peter Douglas said that after the school was last year labelled in breach of the Education Act for board mismanagement, it was very particular about this year's audit.

Hato Paora took the unusual step of combining its constitutionally-separate boards last year, joining the trustees' work with that of the proprietors, bringing together about 20 people, but there had been issues around record keeping and conflicts of interest.

The school had since taken measures to separate the two governing bodies and to ensure the book work was accurate. Continue reading

Simon died in Wellington hospital on 14 May after a long period of ill health.

E te uri o Hinengakau, e te reo reka o te awa tupua, e te matua Morvin, kei te mamae, kei te tangi te ngakau ki a koe kua wehe atu nei. E kore to kanohi e kitea, engari to reo ka rangona tonutia e waiata mai ana ki nga topito o te motu, heke iho ki nga uri whakatupu. Haere, haere, haere ra. E te whanau pani, ka nui te aroha ki a koutou.

Simon was a descendant of Te Atihaunui-a-Paparang, Ngati Apa and Ngati Tuwharetoa tribes.

He was born at Kaiwhaiki Marae on the Whanganui River. He was educated at Upokongaro School and Hato Paora Maori Boys College before going on to study philosophy and sociology at Holy Name College in Christchurch and Maori language and Oral Literature at Victoria and Massey Universities.

Simon was renowned both nationally and internationally for his ability to compose choral pieces.

The programme co-ordinator of the Bachelor of Performing Arts at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Rob Ruha, said he would be sadly missed in the kapa haka world.

Gerrard Albert, of Ngati Tuera, Nga Paerangi said the Whanganui River had lost a unique man who had many gifts.

He said when Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi was the tribe in residence during the Awa Tipua exhibition at Te Papa museum 10 years ago, he was the right person to explain Whanganui tikanga.

Che Wilson of Ngati Rangi, who worked closely with Mr Simon, says Uncle Morv will be missed.

"Because of his influence not only within the tribes that he is from but also the Catholic church and especially the kapa haka world where he not only wrote numerous songs for his own people but for Hato Paora and clubs around the country," he says

Te Tai Hauauru MP, and Maori Party co leader Tariana Turia, said, the unique combination of all of the educational influences Simon experienced "was seen in the incredible repertoire of compositions which made your heart soar, lifted your spirits and then moved you to tears."

"Like te awa tupua, his waiata could move from tempestuous rapids to smooth waters that caress your every trouble away. E riporipo ana ngAe wai - the one comfort we can turn to is to know the river flows on, and the melodies will be taken up by all our mokopuna to lift our hearts at this time of sorrow."

Former Maori Affairs deputy secretary Neville Baker said Simon was one of the best writers of Maori, as well as being an expert in tikanga and in guiding the iwi forward.

Morvin Simon lay at Hato Paora College in Fielding on Wednesday night before being taken to Kaiwhaiki Marae on the Whanganui River where his body was to lie until his burial.

Morvin Simon is survived by his wife Kura and 11 children

Source

• Voxy.co.nz
• Watea News
• Watea News
• Wanganui Chronicle
• Maori Television
• Radio New Zealand
• Image:WanganuiLibrary