Mana Māori Awards Evening Celebrates Excellence Across Our Kura •...

Mana Māori Awards Evening Celebrates Excellence Across Our Kura.

Tēnā koutou katoa e te whānau whānui o Waitākere College, Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa whakahirahira o te wiki nei.

He wā nui tēnei ki te whakanui i ngā mahi rangatira, i ngā paetae nui kua tutuki e ō tātou ākonga Māori i roto i te tau. Ko te pō o ngā Mana Māori Awards he tohu o te kaha, te māia, me te ngākau hihiko o ā tātou rangatahi e whakakaha nei i te reo me ngā tikanga Māori i roto i te kura.

Ka mihi hoki ki ngā whānau, ki ngā kaiako, me ngā kaimahi katoa i tautoko, i poipoi, i akiaki i ā tātou tamariki kia eke panuku, kia eke tangaroa. Nā koutou te kaupapa i whakamana, nā koutou hoki i whakakī te whare i te wairua o te aroha me te kotahitanga.

Nō reira, kia ū tonu tātou ki te kōrero Māori, ki te whakanui i ō tātou ake tikanga, ā, kia whāia tonutia te ara o te mātauranga me te rangatiratanga mō te ao hurihuri nei.

Ngā manaakitanga,Te Komiti Māori ō Te Kura Auraki ō Waitākere

The first prizegiving of Term 3 brought our school community together for one of the year's most significant celebrations — the prestigious Mana Māori Awards. This special evening, held in the heart of our kura, honored the remarkable achievements of our Māori students across multiple dimensions of excellence, creating an atmosphere of pride, celebration, and whānaungatanga that resonated throughout the venue.

Recognising Excellence in All Its Forms

The awards ceremony acknowledged outstanding achievement across a comprehensive range of areas, reflecting the diverse talents and commitments of our ākonga. From those demonstrating exceptional Commitment to Learning in their academic pursuits to students who have embraced and excelled in Te Reo Māori, each award recipient represented the values and aspirations we hold dear as a school community.

Our Kapa Haka performers and Te Rito Rūmaki students were celebrated for their dedication to maintaining and strengthening our cultural practices, while the prestigious distinction awards recognised those who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to the school and wider community. These awards not only celebrate individual achievement but also acknowledge the collective strength that comes from students supporting one another in their cultural and academic journeys.

Honouring Our Senior Leaders

A particularly moving segment of the evening was dedicated to our senior Māori students, with special recognition given to Ngā Toa O Mua — our Year 13 students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and commitment throughout the year. These rangatahi have served as role models, mentors, and cultural ambassadors, setting a standard of excellence for younger students to follow.

The ceremony celebrated all 59 of our Year 13 Māori graduates, each preparing to embark on their next journey beyond the gates of Waitākere College. As these young leaders prepare to step into tertiary education, apprenticeships, and careers, they carry with them not only their academic achievements but also a strong sense of cultural identity and the knowledge that their kura stands behind them.

Inspiring Performances

The evening was enriched by inspiring cultural performances that showcased the vibrancy and talent within our school. Our renowned Kapa Haka group, Ngā Pae Maunga o Waitākere, delivered a powerful performance. This was followed by a standout moment with a captivating scholarship dance choreographed by the talented Cheyanne Heka.

A Farewell

At the end of the evening, came the moment when the kura farewelled Whaea Sam LaHood, whose vision and dedication helped establish our innovative bilingual programme. Te Rito Rūmaki. Whaea Sam's work in developing Te Rito Rūmaki has created pathways for students to learn and thrive in an environment where Te Reo Māori and tikanga are woven into aspects of their education.

A Community United in Celebration

The success of the Mana Māori Awards evening was a testament to the strength of our school community. The presence and support of whānau filled the venue with warmth and aroha, creating an environment where every student felt valued and celebrated.

Behind the scenes, countless hours of preparation by staff and students ensured that every aspect of the evening — from the formal proceedings to the shared kai — reflected the manaakitanga that is central to our school's values.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on this memorable celebration, we are reminded of the importance of these moments. The Mana Māori Awards do more than recognise individual achievement; they strengthen our collective identity, inspire our younger students, and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in all its forms.

To all our award recipients, we say ka mau te wehi — you have made us proud. To our Year 13 leavers, kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui — be strong, be brave, be steadfast as you step into your futures. And to Whaea Sam, ngā mihi aroha — thank you for your immeasurable contribution to our kura.

Ngā mihi nui to all whānau, kaiako, and ākonga who contributed to making this celebration truly memorable. The aroha and pride that filled our school on this special evening will sustain and inspire us as we continue our journey together, united in our commitment to nurturing excellence, identity, and belonging for all our students.

Distinction Awards

Te Rangimarie Award - Ray Tepu

Makoro - for Outstanding contribution to sport - Jaden Lauvale

Pikorua - Outstanding achievement in Arts and Culture - Taipua Kipa

Te Kauri - Outstanding achievement in Vocational Pathways - Phoenyx Peri

Top Year 10 Māori academic in Science - Chase Baker

Top Year 9 Māori academic in Science - Kartel Gunton

Top Year 9 Māori academic in English - Olivia Harvey

Top Year 10 Māori academic in Science - Aroha Horo

Top Year 9 Māori academic in Te Ao Tangata - Māui Kipa

Top Year 10 Māori academic in English - Anika Mason

Top Year 9 Māori academic in Maths - Kharess Walker-Hemana