We are delighted to share the deeper story/kōrero behind our new pāwaha

Our Pāwaha (Te Au Waikato) shares the narrative of our school and acknowledges our special connection with mana whenua, Ngāti Wairere. The narrative for this pāwaha was written by Matua Ted Sweet and Ihipera Sweet (Ngāti Wairere), and the design work by artist James Webster.

A Pāwaha (Pā = marae / waha = mouth) is to speak of the stories of that marae.

Our pāwaha is based on the concept of a waka pou maumahara, an old practice of decommissioning a waka (canoe) and standing it upright in memory of a person or event. The unveiling and blessing of our pāwaha occurred on 30th April 2024, the same morning that Dr. Ngapare Hopa (Whaea Pare) sadly passed away.

Whaea Pare was heavily involved in the establishment of our school and gifted us our school name. She wanted a school name that would be all encompassing and link together Māori, European and the many other cultures, respect the past, while also focusing on the present and future.

Our school name is considered hugely prestigious and is a real taonga (gift).

Her wisdom and Māori world view were inspirational. As a leading Māori scholar, Hopa promoted positive relationships between cultures and a greater understanding of New Zealand’s history. This pāwaha is dedicated to her legacy.

The Pāwaha provides the gateway in and out of the school, and where hospitality begins.

When you pass through this gateway you are moving from a state of Te Pō (darkness, unknowing) into Te Ao Mārama (enlightenment and understanding).