A Gift of Name, A Place of Belonging

 In the stillness before sunrise on Wednesday, 7 May, we gathered for a moment that will remain etched in Westlake Girls High School’s story – the official opening of our beautiful new Whare Āhuru Mōwai.

Led by representatives from Ngāti Pāoa, the 6.15am ceremony was rich in tikanga and meaning. Before dawn broke, we stood alongside staff, students, whānau and guests to witness a powerful act of generosity – the formal gifting of the title of our Whare Āhuru Mōwai by Ngāti Pāoa: Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura – The heart of a female leader.

Ko wai te ingoa o te whare? What is the name of the whare? – Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura

Mō wai te whare? Who is the house for? Mō te katoa. It is for everyone. 

In an extraordinary touch, almost the entire formal part of the proceedings was accompanied by both a tūī and a kererū, who sat in plain view in a nearby kauri tree – as if watching over the ceremony.

Westlake Girls’ kapa haka Te Rerenga Wāna brought powerful tautoko through their waiata, adding pride and depth to an already emotional morning. Following the formalities, we came together in the Event Centre to share kai and stories – continuing the warmth and kotahitanga that had filled the morning.

“The very special thing that has occurred during the last two years is the time we have spent with our iwi, Ngāti Pāoa, and the relationship we have built together. Learning about tikanga from our iwi has been a rich and humbling experience. Although we look through different lenses, it is very hard to see where we differ in terms of our values and the things that are important to us both.”

Jane Stanley, Principal

Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura is more than a building. It is a taonga – a treasured space for learning, reflection, celebration and connection. It will be a place where we honour te ao Māori, grow our ties with mana whenua, welcome all cultures, and let the values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga flourish. At times, it will also serve as a marae – a space to gather, host, and uphold the tikanga at Aotearoa’s heart.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life – especially to Ngāti Pāoa for their aroha, guidance, and the taonga they have gifted us in the name Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura. This is a name that will guide and inspire generations of Westlake students, and we are honoured to carry it at the heart of our kura.

Photos by BC Photography / David Rowland