The Minister wanted to hear of the challenges Hagley students and their families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities have faced over the last three months and continue to face after 15 March.

One focus of his visit was to hear about Hagley’s role as a welfare centre for the three days immediately following the mosque shootings. The Minister visited our Preschool where several families were significantly affected by March 15.

Chris Hipkins was interested in many aspects of Hagley, including its long history in offering access to education for refugee and migrant communities, as well as for learners aged over 19. He also heard of  plans for the Multicultural Hub development. After hearing more of the diverse range of what Hagley offers, Chris Hipkins asked, "Why aren't there more schools like Hagley in other centres throughout New Zealand?"

The Minister received a Tuakana Teina taonga as a koha to acknowledge the New Zealand education leader's visit and his interest in Hagley.