On 19 July, the refurbished boarding hostel of Hato Pāora College was opened. Whānau, staff, and both former and current students gathered at dawn for this auspicious occasion, welcoming the new day and the kaupapa.
The hostel is named Kapuera, in honour of Fr Isaac Gupwell SM, who brought to life the vision of his confrère, Fr James Riordan SM. Fr Gupwell became the first Rector/Principal of the school in 1947 and invested tirelessly in the school for the ensuing 50 years. For this commitment, he was acknowledged with an MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit). The two dormitory corridors are named after notable old boys: Mātua Morvin Simon MNZM, historian, composer, and staff member of Hato Pāora; and Bishop Max Mariu SM CNZM, the first Māori Bishop of Aotearoa New Zealand.
After the formalities, the hostel was celebrated with a big breakfast in the college dining room, where guests were treated to a number of waiata sung by the tauira/students of Hato Pāora.
This hostel is a magnificent investment in the continuation of Frs Riordan and Gupwell’s vision: providing the opportunity for education in the dual special character of the college — Māoritanga and Katorikatanga. That vision is indeed alive and well as the tauira of the college are formed within the frame of the school motto, whāia te tika — to pursue what is right.
