"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

• stuff.co.cz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: twitter.com

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

• scoop.co.nz
• waateanews.com
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Maori astronomer Professor Dr Rangi Matamua, who this year received the Prime Minister's Science Communications Prize and has been a leading proponent of making Matariki a public holiday, told the Herald he didn't feel the university was a "place I can be any more." Read more

He was one of 39 Maori medical graduands who took part in a pre-graduation ceremony last Friday at the University of Otago.

He is about to start work as a doctor at Christchurch Hospital.

"Just because my dad's a Mongrel Mob member and I'm Maori doesn't mean I can't do anything like the rest of the population."
He says he was raised quite well by his parents and they put us first.

"It wasn't forced on me but it was expected that I take it [education] seriously."

Tewhaiti-Smith has spent the last six years studying towards a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery at the University of Otago School of Medicine. The course had been "bloody hard".

His parents had been his biggest supporters, along with his wider whanau and he was a firm believer that "not one person raises a child, it is a village".

During his studies, he had been called a "dumb Maori" and encountered accusations of preferential treatment.

The negative interactions only inspired him to say "well, I'll show you".

"I flipped it and used it as my motivation."

Tewhaiti-Smith's used his family's gang connections for a ground-breaking new study on the health of the Mongrel Mob.

Dozens of Mongrel Mob members, affiliates and extended family were assessed on the health of their liver by a group of Otago University researchers that included Jordan.

The study included 52 Mongrel Mob Notorious gang members from Dunedin, Lower Hutt and Turangi.

It found New Zealand's largest gang's high incarceration rate, common intravenous drug use, and uncertified tattooing put them at a higher risk of contracting Hepatitis C.

Just eight Maori doctors graduated in 1999, while this year there are 38 provisional graduands.

"I want to change the outlook that Maori have within the health system in New Zealand," he said.

"As a clinician ... that's where I can make a difference. That's why I wanted to be a doctor."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• newshub.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• odt.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

350 students graduated. There are about 4.500 students enrolled at the University.

While Te Wananga o Raukawa is based in Otaki, most of the students enrolled are from other districts.

Students at Graduation came from near (for example Porirua, Levin) and far (for example, the East Coast, Tauranga).

Students graduated at various levels. Diploma (‘Heke'); Bachelor (Poutuarongo); Postgraduate (Poutahu) and Masters (Tahuhu).

Each student received a certificate and a symbol of achievement. An anchor (punga); a flute (putoruno); a staff (pou whenua) or an oratory and leadership staff (tewhatewha).

Subjects included: physical well-being; Maori Laws and Philosophy; Environmental Management; Maori Knowledge; Maori Language; Design and Art; Social Work; Teaching (early childhood to higher levels); Business Management and Information Management.

A highlight of the day was the support given by a student's family and their local area or school. Each graduate may have been given a karanga (support chant) or challenging haka.

The day was very colourful too in that students often wore beautiful colourful cloaks (kakahu) as they received their certificates.

Whatarangi Winiata, who was one of the founders of Te Wananga o Raukawa, was one of the elders who greeted each graduate with a hongi.

Currently nearly three-quarters of the students are women. While this ensures a strong future for Maori, the call went out for more men to enrol.

Several graduating students have Pacific origins.

Source

• Supplied: Pa Piripi Cody

Keri Milne-Ihimaera was the principal of Moerewa School in Northland for 10 years. For two of those years, the school was under statutory intervention, governed by a commissioner brought in by the Ministry of Education Read more

Former student Nathan Matthews has returned to his old stomping ground to lead the school. Continue reading

He has also proposed that the Hato Petera site should be used for a hostel for Maori students attending other schools in the area, on the model of Auckland Grammar School's InZone hostel in Epsom.

He said he told the minister of education Chris Hipkins about his proposal to transfer Vanguard just before Hipkins announced the closure of Hato Petera on August 31.

A spokesman for Hipkins confirmed that O'Sullivan outlined the proposal at a principals' conference at Wairakei on August 30, but said the minister was "non-committal" about it.

O'Sullivan, a former Hato Petera student, has produced videos telling the stories of four Vanguard students in an effort to stop parliament passing a bill to abolish charter schools such as the military academy.

He says after five years Vanguard has demonstrated by its academic results that it genuinely transforms lives and has provided a positive and aspirational pathway for rangatahi who were failed by the mainstream education system.

Vanguard Military School is a co-educational charter school located in Albany.

It opened in 2014 and was the first of 11 charter schools to apply to become part of the state education system under the changes Labour made to the charter school system.

In May Hipkins gave approval for Vanguard to become a designated character state school.

In 2019 it will become a full secondary school with up to 312 students from Years 9 to 13.

At present, it teaches the New Zealand Curriculum to Year 11, 12 and 13 students with the specific aim of gaining the NCEA and UE qualifications.

The school uses the ethos and training methodology of the military which it says helps students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve attitudinal and academic excellence.

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• vanguard.school
• voxy.co.nz
• maoritelevision.com
• Image: thespinoff.co.nz

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

Recently a new building was opened to replace it. It contains a meeting place for students, a special hall embracing carvings representing all the local tribal groups, a library and various offices.

It is called Te Ara a Tawhaki. Tawhaki was one of the mythical heroes of Maoridom. He made his way to the heavens where he succeeded in obtaining Nga Kete o te Wananga (The Three Baskets of Learning).

The whakatuwheratanga (official opening) began with karakia (prayers) at 5:30 am.

Then people entered the building and speeches followed explaining the purpose of the building.

After a breakfast, there were more speeches explaining the building's meaning and significance, its name and the carvings in it.

Then people were invited to look around themselves and put their blessing on it.

‘Nga Kete o te Wanangakete that Tawhaki brought are represented in the weaving pattern on the outside of the building.

There are three kete (baskets). In one understanding they are: Te Kete Aronui, learning about the natural world we see around us; Te Kete Tuauri, learning about the world beyond our sight - the wider universe, and Te Kete Tuaatea, learning about the spiritual world beyond space and time.

The interior design is made up of the arches of a whare (house) which welcomes all people to enter and explore the paths of learning.

It is a reminder to all that it is not a question of obtaining a lot of knowledge to succeed, but of being able to keep learning wisdom that is more important.

The elders who presided at the opening included Matiu Rei (Purutanga Mauri or Spiritual Governor), Pita Richardson (Spiritual Governor), Whatarangi Winiata (Spiritual Governor), Robin Hapi (Amokapua or Chair) and Mereana Selby (Tumuaki or Principal).

E te whare, ko Te Ara a Tawhaki, e tu, e tu, e tu. Te Ara a Tawhaki, stand tall as a symbol of learning.

The Minister of Education Chris Hipkins and the Bishop have agreed that the College will close on 31 August 2018.

In making the announcement last Friday Hipkins said the school was no longer capable of providing a quality education.

"The sad reality is that there aren't any students left at Hato Petera," he said.

"The advice I received from the ministry made it very clear that any students who did enrol at Hato Petera weren't going to be receiving the standard of education they should be."

Deed of Grant will be honoured

In a press release, the Diocese said it is committed to ensuring that the intent of the Deed of Grant made in 1850 in relation to the land, is honoured.

The land or income from the land will be used to support "…. the education of children of our subjects of both races and of children of other poor and destitute persons being inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific…"(Deed of Grant, 19 August 1850).

Needs have changed

The diocese said Hato Petera College has a proud history but it has not been the secondary school of choice for Catholic Maori, within the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.

As at 1 July 2018 there were 1,065 Maori students attending 15 Catholic Secondary schools in the Diocese.

This year the roll at Hato Petera has fluctuated between one and five students.

There have been no students at the College in Term 3.

Past students have chosen not to send their children and grandchildren to Hato Petera College.

The Church's concern over the past few years has been that students at Hato Petera College have not been receiving the education they need or deserve.

The need for Maori boarding schools has changed.

Significantly fewer Maori are choosing to send their rangatahi to Maori boarding schools for their secondary education.

Hato Petera was the only co-educational Maori boarding school in Aotearoa.

There are four remaining single-sex schools Maori boarding schools; two of them are Catholic schools.

There are three in Hawkes Bay: Hukarere Girls' College St Joseph's Maori Girls' College, Te Aute College.

Hato Paora College at Cheltenham in Manawatu.

All have very small school rolls and the total roll across all 4 schools is 531, the size of a small secondary school.

Looking at possibilities

The Auckland Diocese is exploring and considering all education options for the use of the site.

Some possibilities include discussions with the Ministry of Education regarding the use of the College facilities by another school.

It is also in discussion with Hato Petera old boy Dr Lance O'Sullivan, Chair of the Moko Foundation, about the possibility of establishing a "Hato Petera hostel/academy" that could support a new model of education at the current site.

Source

• Supplied: Lyndsay Freer
  Media & Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auckland
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: Newsroom /Alexia Russell

After meeting more than 40 members of the school community Hipkins told media he wanted to hear from the community and former students before he made his decision.

"It won't be a matter of months. I do want to get something sooner than that to give certainty to the school community.

But I also do want to stay true to my word and consider the feedback I was given today and the feedback they've been giving me through other means."

This also meant reviewing the advice he had received from the Ministry of Education and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, he said.

Despite being pressed on the future of Hato Petera College beyond the integration agreement, Hipkins said it was ultimately over to the diocese what happened to the school, including returning the land to iwi.

"That's obviously a matter for the Treaty settlement process. That will fall outside my ministerial portfolio."

The Church has not yet heard from Hipkins but the diocese's vicar of education, Linda McQuade gave the minister her card as he left.

Catholic Bishop of Auckland Pat Dunn said the land was given to the Church by Governor George Grey for the education of children of "both races" Maori and Pakeha, and the Church would honour that.

"Our problem over the years has been that Maori parents have chosen not to send their children here," he said.

"I don't know how to turn that around. Restarting a school from scratch would be a huge challenge."

Earlier this week two families whose ancestors lived around the site of Northcote's Hato Petera College 170 years ago have "repossessed" the land.

Kaitaia-based Kotahitanga Aotearoa Movement leader Reti Hohaia Netana Boynton said the group, representing the Peters and Turoa families from the Ngati Paoa iwi.

They said they planned to reopen a school for Maori on the site in line with an original land grant by Governor George Grey to the Catholic Church in 1850.

Boynton was allowed into the meeting and urged Hipkins to keep the college open.

Ngati Paoa Iwi chairman Gary Thompson said Boynton's group did not represent the whole iwi.

Thompson, a former Hato Petera house parent, said he has told the Hipkins and the Catholic Church that the iwi wants to be involved in any decision about the school, but said he had not heard from Hipkins.

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

High-profile Maori leader Lance O'Sullivan says self-serving interests and protectionism from the old establishment are at the heart of the move to close them down.

He says such a move will force Maori youth back into a state system that has "already failed them."

He is calling on the government to "put aside ideology" and give Maori youth an opportunity to learn in an environment that worked for them.

O'Sullivan comments come after by Sir Toby Curtis and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi spoke out against the closures.

Curtis and Tawhiwhirangi said the decision breaches the Treaty because it forces Maori out of an education model which works for them - and back into a state system which has long failed them.

O'Sullivan says he is an example of such a failure.

"I was a student who failed twice in the traditional education system," he said.

"It was only when I had the privilege of attending a school where my own culture and language was valued and encouraged that I understood that I had the ability to succeed and create a better life not only for me and my family but also for others," he said.

A Murupara-based long-time educator has also called on the minister of education to reconsider his decision to close partnership schools in favour of special character schools.

Pem Bird, who won the 2018 Matariki Award for contribution to education, said, in his opinion, Chris Hipkins' actions were "profoundly disrespectful."

"It's condemning these children to return to a system where Maori and Pasifika underachievement is chronic, intractable and systemic."

Bird said partnership schools were making a positive difference for Maori and Pasifika students.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: nzherald.co.nz

Maori educator Sir Toby Curtis, who recently submitted a treaty claim against the closures, delivered an "emotional" plea for the schools to remain as is on Wednesday morning. Continue reading

Hato Petera College's roll is down to four pupils.

It's a co-educational school for Maori students from Years 9 to 13.

The school provides students with a Catholic Maori environment.

It's the subject of a critical ERO report.

Lex Hamill, the recently appointed commissioner of Hato Petera and old boy, Dr Lance O'Sullivan, want to improve the school's viability.

O'Sullivan, a Northland doctor, no longer has an active role in the school, since Te Whanau o Hato Petera Trust dissolved

But he says he wants to involvement in the school's future.

"I am committed to ensuring Hato Petera will not go off into the night, " he says.

O'Sullivan says it's time to talk about solutions to Hato Petera's problems, not its struggle.

Education Review Office

In a 2014 report, the Education Review Office (ERO) raised health and safety concerns about the school's hostel facilities.

In 2017 the Ministry of Education changed Hato Petera's classification from boarding to day school over those earlier concerns.

Commissioner Hamill says he thinks it's unhelpful to talk about closure every time Hato Petera makes the news."

He said his job was to make sure the school remained operational.

Despite a roll of four pupils, Hamill says Hato Petera is not the only "iconic Maori school" struggling.

Hamill says removal of boarding pupils had affected the roll and special character of Hato Petera.

He says it's difficult to increase the school because now it's a day school.

"…it has to operate in the Northcote area as an integrated, unzoned school, he says."

"At the end of the day it's the parents who opt to send their children to our school."

Sources:

• NZ Herald
• Education Review Office
• Image credit:

The occasion will begin with an opening ceremony on Friday at 3:00 pm.

On Saturday formalities highlighting the school's history will be presented, then followed by a celebration dinner.

There will be an exhibition of archival material and oral histories, and a presentation about the school book by historian Malcolm Mullholland.

Stephanie Tibble, a former student and event organiser, has been collecting interviews from kuia (older women) who were students, sisters and principals at the school.

"It's going to be great to catch up with people, but I think also it's significant in that St Joseph's is one of only two Maori girls' colleges that remain today," said Tibble.

Jubilee committee chairperson Julie Tangaere said the school was excited to host whanau during the weekend.

"It's really going to be a great event. St Joseph's has been home to many girls over the years. It will be great to get together and share memories and acknowledge the school."

St Joseph's Maori Girls' College (then named The Providence) was one of the first schools established by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in 1867.

The school was established in response to a request by Maori Missioner Father Euloge Reignier. His commitment to the education of young Maori was such that he is recorded as riding for days on horseback to pick up children to be educated at the Catholic school.

Former students of St Joseph's Maori Girls' College include famed Maori activist Dame Whina Cooper.

In 1995, the ownership of the school was handed over from the church to iwi Maori who established a trust board.

Two Sisters remain living on the school grounds to maintain the connection with the founding Order.

Source

• RNZ
• Maori Television
• Scoop
• Hawkes Bay Today
• Image: Brightcove

Hato Petera College stands on a portion of the of the Crown Grant of 376 acres given to the Catholic Church in Auckland's North Shore in 1850 for the purpose of supporting Maori education on the site.

A group of former pupils Nga Tauira Tawhito o Hato Petera lodged a claim with the the Waitangi Tribunal in 2014.

The claim concerns the land awarded by Crown Grant to the Catholic Church in 1850, and the subsequent maladministration of that land.

Lawyer Stuart Kett, of Tamaki Legal - which is representing claimant group - said since then, most of that land had been sold and the proceeds had not been fairly used to fund or support the school.

"The original reason for the grant was for the maintenance and support of Maori education on the Takapuna Crown grant lands," Mr Kett said.

"Those purposes, those duties, those obligations are for the church to provide that maintenance by way of the Crown grant lands."

Kett said it was not clear how the proceeds from the Grant land sales were spent, but it wasn't on Hato Petera.

"The diocese presumably is doing what it can, but unfortunately we haven't been able to access their financial records in terms of how they expended the proceeds of sale moneys in terms of benefiting Hato Petera.

"What we do know is Hato Petera is on a lot less land than it would have been had the original grant remained intact."

In the claimant group's final submissions Mr Kett asked that the Crown fund a new boarding facility and new buildings at the school.

The Catholic Church was contacted for comment but referred questions back to the school.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• tuhoronuku.com
• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: i.ytimg.com

They were presented by the World Indigenous Nations University (WINU).

For the people of Otaki, of particular interest was their own whanau member, Oriwia Raureti (Ngati Raukawa).

She is currently the Executive Director of Operations at Te Wananga.

Oriwia has shown a passionate commitment to Maori people and education.

She follows a line of teachers from her late mother and sister. Oriwia is a leader in promoting te reo Maori and Maori excellence in research and education.

She is committed to her Catholic Church, her wider Community and to sports. Oriwia is a leader in Maori management.

The other recipients were Wiremu Kaa, Patricia Grace

Wiremu Kaa (Ngati Porou) was recognised because of his contribution as a native Maori speaker and his teaching and influence on Maori studies.

He was instrumental in the establishment of kohanga reo.

Patricia Grace (Ngati Toa) was recognised because of her literary accomplishments and her writing around Maori themes.

She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters.

The awarding of the doctorates recognise a special contribution to community and education by various indigenous people in the world.

The graduation took place before family and friends and some indigenous people from around the world, from Alaska to Australia and the Pacific.

Te Wananga o Raukawa is a Maori University or 'wananga' situated at Otaki. Formally established in 1981 it caters for about 1300 students both on line and with actual presence at the University.

A coalition of three local Iwi (Ngati Toa, Te Ati Awa and Ngati Raukawa) te Wananga o Raukawa has as its basic aim excellence in higher education delivered with respect for traditional Maori learning.

While embracing use of te reo Maori and development of the student's home marae and tradition, the university utilises contemporary educational content.

Among Te Wananga o Raukawa's current students are Marist priests Peter Healy and Phil Cody.

While their focus is on development of te reo Maori (Maori language), the wider purpose is the privilege of living alongside Maori and sharing their life journey.

Peter and Phil live in a community at Otaki in partnership with Maori at Pukekaraka Marae, Otaki.

They are preserving the link the Church has with Maori through the Marist family from the beginning of the Catholic Church history in Wellington.

WINU is a world network for Indigenous higher education. It is founded upon and operating within the sovereignty of indigenous peoples.

Through its networking and the leadership of the accredited WINHEC member institutions and associated Alliances it offers co-joint undergraduate and post graduate programmes.

These programmes incorporate both western and cultural knowledge.

Source

• Supplied
• winhec.org
• wananga.com