Wairarapa girls leading the way

MANA WAHINE: Turakina Maori Girls' College student leaders Hinekohu Martin-Wade (left), 16, Nanaia Martin, 15, Te Rau Kura Martin, 17, and Kania Martin-Wade, 14.

Four girls from a Masterton family are helping lead the way as students at the historic Turakina Maori Girls' College in Rangitikei.

Principal Terehia Channings said sisters Te Rau Kura and Nanaia Martin and their nieces Hinekohu and Kania Martin-Wade had distinguished themselves ahead of a school year in which a greater focus will be placed on student leadership.

She said there was a roll of more than 70 students at the school, that included Masterton sisters Heaven and Faith Paku as well.

Mrs Channings this year appointed as a prefect Year 13 student Te Rau Kura, 17, while the college chaplain nominated Year 10 student Nanaia, 15, as a junior chapel leader. Year 11 student Kania, 14, was nominated by her fellow Manawa House students as a deputy house leader.

Year 12 student Hinekohu, 16, started training this year as an aspiring prefect, Mrs Channings said, "who will transition in to that position if she fulfils her role and lives up to the obligations of her training".

Mrs Channings said a prefect was expected to uphold the expectations and traditions of Turakina Maori Girls' College and be "positive role models in the local and wider community, with the ability to inspire and motivate others in the school, especially the juniors".

She said the school was, this year, emphasising student leadership and the newly-appointed prefects had attended a three-day leadership training camp in Auckland as part of a joint scheme with Auckland University of Technology.

AUT tutors will, each term, hold day-long sessions with the student leaders, who Mrs Channings will meet every fortnight as well to discuss training challenges and outcomes.

"All our girls are encouraged to strive and aim for the stars, and to have high expectations for yourself - it's about aiming high and going for the top.

"The challenge for Maori in general and for our young people is to modify their thinking in terms of what they can achieve - if they go into law, why not think about being Prime Minister, if teaching, why not aim to be Minister of Education, if netball, why not aim to become a Silver Fern?"

Te Rau Kura Martin - Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa - was proud to have won a leadership role at the school and welcomed the opportunity to be a role model for schoolmates and to help her sister and nieces in their roles as well.

"It's important to me as a prefect to step up and be a leader for our next generation.

"It will be challenging but there are a few of us and we can help and support each other."

Ms Martin said this was her fourth and final year at the school and she was to study midwifery in Wellington next year.

Hinekohu Martin-Wade - Ngati Toa, Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa - was excited to be training as a prefect and most valued "the positive environment at school" that helped foster leadership and achievement.

Ms Martin-Wade planned on a career in media, which she aimed to study at university.