Friday 9th August 2024

Another wonderful evening was had this year, celebrating our Mana Pounamu recipients


On Thursday 4th July the Mana Pounamu, Young Achievers Award ceremony was held at the Dunedin College of Education Auditorium. Hundreds of people attended the event. So many in fact that there weren't enough seats. Standing room only! John McGlashan was well represented with tautoko from the kapa haka. We also combined with Columba to support their kura as well.

This year the event was aligned with Matariki. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate at such a special time of year.

The late Alva Kapa initiated the Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards in 2001. Mana Pounamu is a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Arāiteuru, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the Ministry of Education and the Otago Daily Times. It is perhaps the most coveted Māori award and draws in schools from around all of Otago.

But this award is about more than just a scholarship or leadership. As per the title -  it is about mana. It is about recognising, affirming and raising the mana of our rangatahi. It celebrates their māoritanga and reminds them of how important and special that māoritanga is.

This year John McGlashan had two recipients. Leo Hill (Year 10) was the recipient of the Teina award. The Tuakana Award was won by Max Porter (Year 13). Both gentlemen have shown great leadership in their whānau, their sporting/music endeavours and in uplifting tikanga and te ao Māori in the kura. 

Congratulations to our recipients and thank you to all the students and staff who attended to tautoko the mana of our boys and school. It was a truly inspirational afternoon to be immersed in kaupapa Māori and see all the amazing talent from around the rohe.

Any student wishing to apply for Mana Pounamu should continue to grow their CV and leadership in the areas of cultural, academic, community and sport.

For any whānau wishing to become more involved in kauapapa Māori at the school, we warmly invite you to become a part of the Māori and Pasifika Steering committee. You do not need to have any knowledge of reo or tikanga - just a wish to support the māoritanga and mana of your child and the school.