Tradition greets Year 9 students at mihi whakatau in Blenheim

“Welcome to our beautiful school. You’re amazing; we’re amazing.”

Those words, uttered in the sport pavilion at Marlborough Boys’ College, summarized the greetings conveyed in te reo Maori through chants, oration and song during last Thursday’s mihi whakatau.

The encapsulation applied later that morning, as well, to the mihi whakatau at Marlborough Girls’ College. With returning students and staff flanking the flagpole, Principal | Tumaki Mary-Jeanne Lynch told Year 9 entrants and their families about pride in “our school and our students.”

She also echoed, nearly word for word, MBC counterpart Jarrod Dunn’s message to parents of his inaugural class of Year 9 students. “Thank you for entrusting myself and our staff with your tamariki,” he said. Jarrod starts his first year in the principal role as Mary-Jeanne starts her ninth.

Tradition matters at each campus. Fathers and mothers brought the next generation of students to the college they at tended. Several took part in ceremonial activities rooted in Maori culture.

Kiley Nepia bridged both gatherings. He coached five boys for their haka, then headed across town to see his daughter Mareikura – who’d accompanied him to MBC – share advice with newcomers at MGC.

“I’m an old boy at Marlborough Boys’ College,” he noted, “and the previous principal really wanted to ensure that Maori culture was part of the school identity. When I was at school, the wero, the challenge, used to be performed quite often. It hadn’t been done for some time, so that was one of the things we revitalized.

“Now it’s a way of rolling out the red carpet for all of our new students, their parents and their family so they’re all welcomed here in a way that in particular the boys can show their cultural pride.”

Journey

Head Boy Rangatira Smith took the lead in the wero. With Ellik Te Kanawa and Reon Holdaway on his left-hand side, Manaia Huntley and Razell Maru on his right, Rangatira stalked across the pavilion into a clearing by the entry where attendees gathered.

He squared off symbolically with Riley and new students Preston Hill and Tahuparae Rangitihi, then rejoined his peers to retrace their steps. Riley and the younger duo headed the procession inside as a haka echoed through the enclosure.

MGC beckoned its new Year 9 with a distinct ceremony.

Carleen Heemi, a former student and mother of an entering student, took a position of honor ahead of the Year 9 queue. As she danced and chanted her way into the garden, the girls quietly filed into rows of seats.

Across the brick path, returning schoolmates faced them and sang out a repeating verse in te reo Maori. Welcoming wishes culminated with thoughts from the four manutaki (senior leaders): Ma reikura, Piper Patrick, Sophia Nicholas and Miriana Haitana.

Several times, emotions over took Carleen. Tears fell as she reflected on her years at MBC and things her daughter will start experiencing.

“She’s going to become a young lady,” Carleen said. “The next five years and the journey she’s about to embark on, it’s quite magnificent."