Hawaiki Atua 2025
"Building Future Indigenous Leaders"
St. Joseph School students participated in a 2-week-long Hawaiki Atua Youth Leadership Program designed to offer cultural and leadership development. The program consisted of 6 Hawaii schools: Hālau Kū Mana, Kamaile Academy, St. Andrews The Priory, Waiane High School, and Nānākuli High School.
The students began their journey in Lower Hutt, Wellington, at Waiwhetu Marae. The students participated in a traditional powhiri ceremony where they were welcomed onto the Marae. Traditional chants and songs were exchanged during the ceremony. While in Wellington, the students connected with Māori language immersion students of Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Ara Whānui. They participated in daily cultural workshops & visited significant cultural sites in the area. The students also learned a wealth of cultural knowledge from well-known cultural practitioners such as Tautoko Ratu, Ayla Reti, Mtiu tahi, and Sam Hauwaho, Veranoa Hetet, Pokau Te Ahuru, Kawata Teepa, Pania Tahau-Hodges, Crystal Pekepo-Ratu, Kura Moeahu, and Alishia Moeahu.
The next leg of the trip was spent in Taranaki at Waiokura Marae, where the students were able to visit Taranaki Maunga, the sacred mountain of the people of Taranaki, and even cook up a local favorite dish, spam musubi.
The last leg of the trip was spent in Auckland at Turangawaewae, the residence and place of the Kiingitanga, the royal Māori queen of New Zealand. The students were able to participate in a cultural powhiri welcoming ceremony by Te Ariki Nui, Queen Nga Wai Hono i te po of Aotearoa at her royal residence at Turangawaewae. Michaela Costales, SJS senior, was featured on the queens social media page while she performed for the queen a special hula. While there, the students connected with other Māori immersion students of Te Wharekura o RakauManga. On the final night of their trip, the students were able to meet Hana Rawhiti, the youngest Māori female representative in Parliament.
This was an unforgettable cultural experience for our students. They will continue to strengthen their international ties with our cousins of Aotearoa, as they continue to pursue positions of leadership to lead this generation to a stronger future.
A special mahalo to SJS Alumnus Ivan Lui-Kwan, advisor to the late King Tuhetia, for inviting St. Joseph School to attend this prestigious event. Mahalo to Head of School, Kumu Kipapa for shaping our students to become leaders. Mahalo to Coach Mike for supporting their journey as well.
