St Joseph's Māori Girls’ College - CathNews New Zealand

St Joe's legendary Miss Kingi moves from school to ministry

Juliet Palmer — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:00:35 +0000

Miss Kingi - Dame Georgina, that is - has been at St Joseph Maori 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.

Maori 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 Maori 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 Maori education advisory group to improve outcomes for Maori learners.

Established by Education Minister Erica Stanford, the group will focus on improving achievement for Maori 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 Maori education in English and Maori 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 Maori and matauranga Maori, and he brings experience in academic, management and governance roles.

The other two members of the Maori advisory group are education leader Olivia Hall and Will Workman, Maori's social and economic policy advisor and public policy practitioner.

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St Joe's legendary Miss Kingi moves from school to ministry

Book celebrates over 150 years of Maori achievement at college

Juliet Palmer — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 07:54:46 +0000

Over 200 guests and past pupils gathered at St Joseph's Maori Girls' College in Napier this afternoon to celebrate the launch of A History of St Joseph's Maori Girls' College by Dr Malcolm Mulholland (Ngati Kahungunu).

Covering over 150 years, the book explores the college's religious founding, the challenges and prejudices it has overcome, the stellar reputation it has built and its countless influential alumni.

The college is highly regarded for its academic excellence.

Notable past-pupils include Dame Whina Cooper ONZ DBE, Dame Katerina Mataira DNZM, the present principal Dame Georgina Kingi DNZM QSO, Dame Hinewhehi Mohi DNZM, Lady June Mead, and recently appointed Chief Justice Kiri Tahana.

The St Joseph's choir and kapa haka is internationally renowned for its distinctive sound, with well-known singers Maisey Rika, Moana Maniapoto MNZM and Whirimako Black MNZM - to name but a few ‘trailblazers' the college has produced over the years.

Author Dr Malcolm Mulholland conducted over 160 interviews with former pupils, staff and their whanau for the book. Read more

Book celebrates over 150 years of Maori achievement at college