Dormitory facilities at our four Māori boarding schools were significantly in need of critical improvements to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment.

In Budget 2021, $20 million over a two-year period (2021/22 and 2022/23) was allocated to make the necessary improvements to recognise the important role Māori boarding schools play in growing future Māori leaders and to assist them to continue to house, educate and manaaki rangatahi in their care.

The new and improved dormitories at St Joseph’s were officially opened on 15 July 2024 with the Minister for Māori Development, Hon Tama Potaka attending, along with Te Puni Kōkiri Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Regional Director, George Mackey and other kaimahi who have been involved in this kaupapa.

“It’s taken nearly five years to get to this reopening so there was an immense feeling of satisfaction as we toured the dormitories seeing the vast improvements that had been made,” says George.

“Reopening the improved dormitories was a significant milestone and one we have all been awaiting because we know the positive impact it will have on students.”

Māori boarding schools are iconic Māori institutions. This is true both in an education context, and because of their significance to Maoridom, as they play an important role in growing Māori leaders, something they have been doing for the past 160+ years.

Māori boarding schools are recognised for fostering our rangatahi, providing quality education and being strong advocates of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.

St Joseph’s is the second oldest Māori boarding school, and an elite Māori learning institution, dedicated to nurturing the aspirations of young wāhine Māori. Some esteemed alumni include:

• Dame Whina Cooper,
• Screenwriter Riwia Brown,
• Singers Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Whirimako Black, Moana Maniapoto, and Maisey Rika
• Linguist and Māori language developer Dame Kāterina Mataira,
• Educator, writer and advocate Lady June Mead, and
• High Court Judge Kiri Tahana.

All four Māori boarding schools (St Joseph’s Māori Girls College, Te Aute College, Hato Pāora College, and Hukarere Girl’s College) are Special Character State-Integrated schools whose whakapapa blend tikanga Māori and religious values.

The teaching at St Joseph’s is grounded in whanaungatanga, Māoritanga, religious values and academic excellence.

“Minister Potaka congratulated everyone involved in creating a safe and healthy environment for our young leaders of tomorrow to learn and thrive in,” says George.

The young wāhine Māori learning at St Joseph’s are all important to the future success of Māori, to their whānau, their community, their hapū, iwi, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand has a youthful and fast-growing Māori population. By 2033, Māori will make up over 18.3 percent of the working-age population.

Māori will be a bigger part of the workforce and by investing in education now, rangatahi can have the widest possible range of options for their future careers. By helping them attain all their aspirations, they will be better positioned to carry on the legacy of Māori Boarding School alumni who came before them.

George says Minister Potaka also acknowledged the significant role St Joseph’s teachers, sisters, and wider team play in the lives of the young wāhine at the school.

Special recognition was given to Dame Georgina Kingi for her long service at St Joseph’s as a teacher and then principal. Dame Kingi was awarded Companion of the Queen’s Service in 2004 and in 2017 was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and education.