It was a proud day for Maniototo yesterday (Thursday September 14) when the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro, took time from her busy schedule to officially open the rebuilt Maniototo Area School, the first such event she had accepted.

In a whaikōrero (formal speech) opening proceedings, kaumatua of the governor-general’s office Joe Harawira said learning was about a child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of a child.

“Your teachers and the community are here to support you, the rangatahi, our future leaders,” he said.

Principal Melissa Bell, who moved to the Maniototo to take up the role this year, spoke warmly of those who had shepherded the project through, including former principal Joe Ferdinands and Belinda Colling, past chair of the Maniototo Area School board of trustees.

Belinda spoke of the growth of the school from its first days as the Eweburn School.

“The foundations and origins of the first school on this site where we stand today were built in 1926. 

“How lucky we are now to have such a beautiful school for our students to learn and grow, and how fabulous it is to see the pride both staff and students have in their new buildings.”

“In a world that is constantly becoming challenging for our families, whānau and community, for us to have somewhere safe, warm, modern, consistent and inviting is something that we will not take for granted.”

The board’s hope was that the school would become a central part of the Maniototo community, she said.

The school’s senior students perform the school haka. 

Dame Cindy said she knew how important education was and she encouraged every student to make the most of their journey of learning.

“I have never agreed to open a school in my term until Maniototo,” she said. 

“The reason is because I thought it was so important to come to your community, and celebrate and acknowledge the history of the unique and beautiful place that is Maniototo.”

Addressing the students, Dame Cindy said: “This must be an exciting day for you and you must be so proud to be part of this school and this community and to be able to come here and enjoy the facilities and really, you and future students who come, are what it is all about.”

She acknowledged the amount of work that had gone into the project, and the impact the school would have on the wider community for many years to come.

“Schools, churches, other community events, and maraes have always been a locus for communities. Your school will continue to be that for your community.”

Guests were given tours of the school by prefects, who showed their pride in introducing visitors to the well-designed science lab, technology block, art room, community library and primary school.

Briella (5), left, and Abbie (7) Graham and their grandfather Billy Graham cut the cake marking the occasion.

Local resident Billy Graham, who attended school on the site in about 1939, cut the cake with his grand-daughters Abbie and Briella Graham, students at the school where their mother Amanda also teaches.

The family have had seven generations involved with the school, with Billy’s great-grandfather chairman of the board of Eweburn school, and his grandmother a first day student in 1879.

Billy was highly impressed with the new premises.

“I wouldn’t mind starting back here again,” he said.