WelCom November 2024

Dame Georgina Kingi, DNZM, principal of St Joseph Māori Girls’ College in Taradale since 1987, is retiring after 60 years at the college.

She was a pupil at the college and then a teacher. She took over as principal in 1987 when the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission stepped away from running the school.

Māori education is her passion. When asked why she stayed at St Joseph’s so long, she says ‘I guess…because of Maori achievement…I stayed to help…and you do get fond of teaching staff.’

‘Miss Kingi’, as she is known, is widely respected as an educational leader. Her pupils do well because her standards are high. Homework and discipline are priorities.

Former pupil Dame Hinewehi Mohi says Miss Kingi is known for her refusal to compromise over what she thought best for St Joseph’s girls.

‘She’s not one to mince words either,’ well-known former pupil Moana Maniapoto recalls.

She is much honoured, though – 500 former pupils turned out for her last karakia as principal at the end of last term to sing her praises.

‘In her speech, she was having none of that,’ Mohi says. ‘She was still talking about the importance of supporting young Māori women as leaders of our people. I’m in awe of what she has done – she set me on a really inspired process of finding where I can do my duty and do my bit based on her role-modelling and leadership.’

Perhaps not surprisingly, given Miss Kingi’s passion for education, the next phase of her life will involve serving on a four-person Māori education advisory group to improve outcomes for Māori learners.

Established by Education Minister Erica Stanford, the group will focus on improving achievement for Māori learners and ‘closing the equity gap that has persisted for too long in the education system’.

The group will provide independent advice on ‘all matters related to Māori education in English and Māori medium settings’.

Source: CathNews NZ

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