Powhiri welcomes College newcomers
13 Feb 2017
2 February, 2017
Despite the cool conditions, this morning’s powhiri was a warm welcome for new staff and boys joining the Christ’s College community.
At 8.45am, the whole school and staff assembled on the Quad. As Whaea Miriama Setterington led the karanga, the new staff and boys were brought onto the Quad led by staff members Steve Everingham, Nick Sutcliffe and Arthur McGregor representing the manuhiri.
The sounds of a powerful rendition of the school haka led by Isaiah Punivai then echoed round the buildings as the newcomers took their seats.
Representing the tangata whenua, Assistant Principal Joe Eccleton gave the whaikoreo, after which the school and staff sang the waiata, Ka Waiata. Steve Everingham replied for the manuhiri who then gave their own waiata. All this was conducted in Te Reo.
Executive Principal Garth Wynne formally welcomed the newcomers saying the powhiri celebrated the bi-cultural strengths of New Zealand culture. “We assemble in this beautiful quadrangle to honour this institution’s past and the thousands of souls who have come together to teach and to learn here for over 160 years. Their collective spirit is captured where we stand and we breath its essence,’’ he said.
Following a whole school waiata and blessing from Chaplain Bosco Peters, senior staff members the tangata whenua welcomed the manuhiri with a hongi.
A Chapel service followed with the new boys led into the Chapel for the first time by Head Prefect Ben Marshall-Lee and Acting Deputy Head Prefect Sam Abbot.