Hato Petera – open for business in 2016

Hato Petera – open for business in 2016

Te Whanau o Hato Petera Trust has a new lease of life. The Trust has responsibility for providing accommodation facilities and pastoral care for Maori students attending Hato Petera College.

Murray Painting the newly elected Chair of the Trust said “the College has always had a reputation for providing quality education since it commenced as a secondary school for Maori boys, 87 years ago.” The introduction of girls to the school has been a major change that has enhanced the school environment he added.

The education landscape in New Zealand has undergone significant change over the past 25 years said Mr Painting and it’s time for Hato Petera to review its approach as it looks to the future sustainability of the kura. The establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maori, and more recently Kura-a-Iwi, Tai Wananga and Kura Hourua (charter schools) means that parents have a menu of educational approaches and opportunities to choose from he said.

The traditional Maori boarding school which has served Maori students well over the past 100 years or more is now challenged by the changing landscape, said Mr Painting and Hato Petera is not exempt from this. “So it is time to review where we’ve been and make an informed decision about where we need to go to provide a model of pastoral care and education that is a compelling choice for Maori parents and their tamariki.

“With the refreshing of the governance team of the Trust, we are determined to meet this challenge head on. We look forward to opening in 2016 with a student body that will benefit from the renewed energy and determination that the Trust has to create a centre of pastoral care second to none with access to a centre of educational excellence.

“The Auckland Catholic Diocese has always played an important role in the life of Hato Petera College. The Takapuna land grant deed vested in the diocese for educational purposes by the then governor Sir George Grey has been the site of Hato Petera since its inception. Hato Petera has been the jewel in its crown as far as the secondary school education of Maori students in the diocese is concerned.”

Mr Painting said the Trust looks forward to a fruitful and productive relationship with the Bishop and the diocese in its endeavour to polish the jewel in the crown to make Hato Petera the centre of excellence and for its future and the Maori students it will nurture and grow into fine leaders, as has been its mission from the day it opened its doors.

The Trust wishes to advise the parents, students and staff, that the boarding facilities will be open and we look forward to welcoming them at the commencement of the school year in 2016, concluded Mr Painting.

ENDS

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