Another sad day for Whirinaki

It was a sad day when Whirinaki Maori School closed in 1974, and another sad day looms with the pending relocation of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga from Whirinaki to Koutu Point.

So Te Hikatu kaumatua Nia Wikaira said from his hospital bed last week. He believed the move to a brand new, bigger school some seven kilometres away was a done deal, but fellow kaumatua Ben Morunga wasn't so sure, although he was equally disappointed with the Ministry of Education's decision, and deeply unimpressed with the process.

Widespread opposition to the move has been expressed around the North Hokianga, on grounds including the spare capacity at existing schools that could be used, but Mr Morunga was most critical of what he claimed was a lack of consultation.

Many "stories" had been told regarding why the new location was necessary, the main problem being the nature and tenure of the existing site.

"We, the owners of the land in question, have had hui and discussed that situation, and we have agreed that we would make available land that would be suitable for the expansion, but having said that, we will not sell our land. It will never be for sale," he said.

And there was history to consider.

"About 1812 Te Hikatu Hapu was the first school in the country. That was in the Bay of Islands, and we have been going ever since then," Mr Morunga said.

"So this is not the first time that there's been a shift for our kura in Whirinaki. We moved from Whirinaki to Opononi Area School, but very disappointingly we had to close down there under the Whanau Kotahi because the funding that was supposed to go for Whanau Kotahi was directed into mainstream, and denied our tamariki the right to further their education. So we, the kaumatua of the time, looked at the situation, and established the kura where it is today in Whirinaki.

"This is a Maori-concept kura and should stay that way," Mr Morunga added.

"The Ministry of Education should never be involved in how the kura should run. They lack acknowledgment of Te Tiriti. There has been little mention of Te Tiriti in the hearing proceedings, and right to this day.

"We, as a cultural people, do our best to comply with government policies, but irrespective of what we do there always seems to be some breakdown. I feel saddened by what's happened to our people at Koutu, where the government was so quick to buy the land without even consulting the local people."

It was not too late though. The hapu would still like to consult with the Minister of Education.

In the meantime he was looking forward to meeting with his people and discussing the report of the hearing, and also having a hui with the people of Koutu and looking at the whole situation.

"Most important in all this are the betterment of our environment, our people and our children, for the future," he said.

Mr Wikaira supported Mr Morunga, saying he did not believe that a bigger school would make for better students.

"The closing of Whirinaki Maori School devastated us," he said.

"What will this move do to us?"

Whirinaki kaumatua have called a hui of Te Hikatu hapu at Moria Marae, Whirinaki, on Wednesday May 1, starting 10am, to inform the hapu of options regarding the relocation of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga.