We have begun a new tradition that Columba will be proud to continue in the years to come.

We were honoured and privileged on Monday, 6 March to host distinguished guests, Dr Tika-Heke and Ms Rose as we celebrated Elloise in her role as Tuakana Tiakaka.

Ms Rose explained that she had approached Dr Rika-Heke about sponsoring a taonga for the Tuakana Tiakaka because she wanted a highly respected wahine who had a genuine connection to Columba College. Dr Rika-Heke has worked for Columba as both a House mistress and as a mentor to teachers wanting to learn how to use te reo Māori in their classrooms. 

Dr Rika-Heke reminisced about her time at Columba College, telling us how she once secretly kept two Siamese kittens in her room in Bishopscourt (pets were not allowed!) for the girls to come and visit. She told us that the trophy being presented is comprised of Southland greenstone set on a base of Northland swamp kauri, thus signifying her own connection to both places. The trophy is named Te Tohu Kairangi Tikaka Māori a Pōwhiri Wharemārama Rika-Heke, in honour of her own godmother, with whom she shares a name. Dr Rika-Heke impressed upon us the importance of having strong, aspirational women in our lives and of working together to ensure Mātauranga Māori is visible in our daily lives.

After being presented with the pounamu, which she will wear for the rest of this year, Elloise outlined her goals for her service as Tuakana Tiakaka this year. Elloise thanked former Tuakana Tiakaka, Lucy, for everything she had done in 2022 to form the first Columba Tiakaka committe, organise and run the first Matariki assembly and work with Matua Price to re-establish kapa haka at our school. Elloise intends to build on the work Lucy began and has her sights set on establishing a relationship between the manewhenua and the School Board, hoping to earn Columba's first korowai.

The Columba Kapa Haka were also a big part of the proceedings, leading the school in singing He Honere and Song of Wings and then performing  a waiata tautoko following Elloise's speech. 

We were very grateful to Mabel for playing piano and to Ms Andrew for helping Elloise and Ms Cook to organise and run the event.