Over the past four and half years I have had the privilege to help lead Tupuranga* and have watched it grow into an invaluable student-led group which has worked to affect positive change in our kura.

In 2011, when I was Year 9 (how that seems so long ago), as Maori and Pacifica students we felt that the presence of our cultural identity was not as prominent as it could have been. Then, we didn’t have a Kapa Haka group, we didn’t really feel invested in the future of Logan Park, and I would not be surprised if there were some who felt like they did not belong.

Well, how that has changed!

Over these years we have transformed the confidence of the Maori and Pacifica community into something that is a vital part of what makes Logan Park great. We have led a wide range of initiatives, including a Homework Club which has often brought in specialist help to assist all students with their school work; we have liaised with the university and polytechnic institutions to encourage further education and career aspirations; we have had Kapa Haka and Pacific Island dance groups performing at Polyfest and we represented the Otakau/Murihiku area at the regional and national Nga Manu Korero speech competitions year on year.

Not only have we seen an extraordinary improvement in Maori and Pacifica academic achievement, but we have seen students take an active role in helping lead our school. Whether this is at Student Council, through Shakespearean Drama, or even O-Taiko Japanese drumming, Maori and Pacific Island students are involved, active and proud. We are confident and this is very heartening indeed.

But of course there are many people to thank. Ms Brinsley, you have been the backbone of this group from the outset and your passion for the integration of Maori styles of learning in our education system is inspiring. Matua Tip, your unending drive, support and aroha that you so willingly share with anyone and everyone on a daily basis is truly remarkable and appreciated. Mrs Winiata, thank you for taking on the boring but crucial job of minute-taking, even when I would take the meetings in the most messy and disorganised fashion and often say three things at once. Finally of course, to Ms Johnson, who has always supported our efforts and the fundamental idea of lifting the achievement and identity of Maori and Pacific Island students and whanau. Indeed it is true that none of these results would have been possible without a school ready and willing to change.

There is much more that needs to be done; like all things we can always improve. But as Tahlia and I move on, we know that these fantastic efforts will continue. Good luck to Emma and Lydie in their leadership of the team for the next couple of years. You have both been leaders since day one and I have full confidence that our team and its objectives will continue to be strong and sustainable in the future.

*At the beginning of the 2014, we changed our name from the boring Maori & Pacific Island Leadership Teams into the amalgamated Tupuranga name. This name is derived from the Tuvaluan word ‘tupu’, meaning chief; and the Maori word ‘ranga’, descending from the words rangatahi (youth) and rangatira(chiefs). We felt that this best represents who we are as a group, with the cultural element giving us our sense of focus.