On Tuesday last week, Wellington College whānau gathered for a very special evening – our annual Pō Whakanui, an event dedicated to farewelling our Year 13 leavers and celebrating Māori success. This gathering brought together students, staff, and whānau to recognise the accomplishments of our rangatahi and reflect on their journeys. The night was led by Student MCs Kace Fata Tolai (Y12) and Nate Amaru (Y12) who did a fantastic job.

The evening was filled with warmth, aroha, and emotion as speeches were shared about each Year 13 leaver, who were also given their time to share some of their favourite memories, final thank yous and a few jokes. We saw humble young men receiving haka tautoko from a proud whānau. We heard voices speak that we’d not heard often before. And we were reminded of the connections and growth that have come from time together at Wellington College. Between the prizegiving and the leavers farewell, everyone ate together and it was clear that the collective of Wellington College, Te Piringa, Tari Māori, ākonga and our whānau, is a strong and thriving one.

The Pō Whakanui was a beautiful farewell to our Year 13s, a celebration of Māori excellence. A recognition that standing in your Māoritanga can and does bring you success. Tari Māori would like to acknowledge the board, Te Piringa and SLT for their ongoing presence and support, congratulate award recipients and we must also acknowledge our teina who were there to serve, support and send off their tuakana. Lastly to our leavers, kei ōu ringa te ao! 

A huge mihi to Nick Johnston and Year 13 student Ralph Kirkland for taking the photos. You can download the photos from this link.

Prizewinners: Teina section (Years 9 – 11)

• TIAHO TE AO, TIAHO TE AO MĀRAMA (Academic) – Charlie Clark

• TE ITI KAHURANGI (Arts) – Cohen Harrison

• TAMA TŪ, TAMA ORA (Sport) – Kalae Kenny

• WHĀTAITAI (Kapa Haka) – Te Arahi Parr

• KO TŌKU REO, TŌKU OHOOHO (Reo Māori) – Hawea Smith

• TE PŪTĀTARA (Leadership) – Dante Johnson-Bell

• TE MATAU (Manaakitanga) – Te Arahi Parr, and Reuben Stevens

• TŪ TAMATOA (Outstanding all-round student) – Dante Johnson-Bell

Prizewinners: Tuakana section (Years 12 – 13)

• TĀNE-NUI-A-RANGI (Academic) – Riley Boyes

• TE WHARE TAPERE (Arts) – Hugo Carter

• TE MANGŌPARE (Sport) – Will Davies

• TE KAITIAKI O TE TAU IHU (Waka Ama) – Matariki Hautapu

• NGAKE (Kapa Haka) – Nate Amaru, and Zane Bradley

• TE TOHU O TE NGĀKAU MĀORI (Tangata Tiriti) – Journey Thomas and Te Aria Mani

• KO TŌKU REO, TŌKU MĀPIHI MAUREA (Reo Māori) – Riley Boyes

• TE KEI O TE WAKA (Leadership) – Nate Amaru

• TE RAUKURA AROHA (Manaakitanga) – Rauorangi Tuta and Spartis Shirinov

• TE AHI MŌ TE AO (Outstanding all-round student) – Zane Bradley