A new ‘wave’ of College student leadership
05 Feb 2025
Head Prefect Ihaka Cate is calling on students to “embrace the mana” by using the “mana wave” to create a new College ‘tradition’ in 2025.
Addressing the College Assembly for the first time in his new role, Ihaka has explained that the mana wave “is a Kiwi thing”, while also sharing his thoughts on the “cool way of greeting someone”.
“If you all look at your hand really closely, each finger represents something,” he says. “The first finger represents ‘kaha’. This means power – the power that comes with unity and togetherness. The second finger is ‘wairuatanga’ – spirituality – recognising and appreciating the things around you and the things that may come. The third finger, ‘mauri’, is the life force and the essence that binds us by the breath of life. The fourth finger, ‘aroha, that’s the love we have for our friends and family and the joy it brings. And, of course, ‘mana’. Mana is all of these fingers tied into one. It’s the strength, power, authority, and charisma you all carry.
“So when you see your mates around the Quad or around the House, throw them a bit of mauri, and when you see your whānau when you get home, flick them over some mana. Approach this year with the belief that you possess all of the qualities, embrace the mana and give the mana.”
Ihaka has also reminded all the boys of the school’s strong and prestigious history.
“To be a part of the 175th cohort of boys is a great privilege and we need to uphold the legacy that has been set before us,” he says. “That doesn’t only mean upholding the integrity of our past, but also respecting the present things that make so much possible. So, respect the school and respect this space by simply taking care. Pay your hard-working teachers back by showing them the respect that they deserve, and, of course, respect each other.”
Ihaka has told the new boys that he remembers walking through the College gates for the first time, “wearing my fresh shiny shoes and my oversized chunky blazer, and absolutely trembling at the idea of spending the next five years in this castle of a school”.
“However, you’ll come to realise that each year passes by quicker than the previous one. All of a sudden you wake up and it's your first day of your last year at school. So I say to every single boy in this room, ‘make the most of your time at College’.
“Use this time to explore and discover the things you enjoy, and don’t settle for less than what you love. Keep striving to be the best you can be and do so by maintaining the legacy and traditions of our school but don’t ever be afraid to give it your own flavour.”
