Te Aute and Hukarere Girls’ Colleges Moving to the future

MEDIA STATEMENT

Professor Whatarangi Winiata – Co-chair Te Aute Trust Board
4 May 2011

Te Aute College and Hukarere Girls’ College Moving into the Future

An article on the prospect of receivership of Te Aute College in today’s Dominion Post relies on “a secret report” completed last year.

“In May 2010 the Te Aute College hostel was in difficulty and the College was struggling,” said Professor Whatarangi Winiata, co-chair of the Te Aute Trust Board. A group of senior Māori from around the Country, including distinguished old boys and brothers Sir Mason Durie and Sir Taihākurei Durie, were called in to address the problems at these distinguished Colleges, particularly Te Aute. Almost immediately, $1.5 million came in from funders, largely Anglican, and limitations on non-essential expenditures were introduced. Outlays on Treaty claims ceased.

“Te Aute College and its Hostel remained open in 2010 despite the financial threat that was real last May,” the Professor said.

As we entered 2010 the efforts of the Colleges to raise the school rolls produced results especially for Hukarere Girls’ College where an additional dormitory was refurbished and opened to accommodate the new students. At Te Aute College Hostel the trust board were able to provide for the refurbishment of the hostels particularly for the new, year 9 intake.

At the beginning of this academic year, Elizabeth Ellis, was appointed Commissioner at Te Aute College immediately following the resignation of that College’s Board of Trustees. This opened the way for rapid review of the management of Te Aute and its Hostel and change has followed. “In the hands of Commissioner Ellis, an experienced teacher and educational administrator, Te Aute settled into this academic year on an encouraging note,” stated the Professor.

As the second term of the 2011 academic year begins neither Te Aute Hostel nor Hukarere Hostel has an overdraft or any creditors beyond the normal credit period. “Accordingly, the threat from creditors becoming restless does not exist right now. Parents need not be worried. New kaupapa Māori arrangements for Hostel management, including new financial controls, have been introduced to ensure that the Colleges’ contribution to the Māori nation continues,” said the retired Victoria University Professor of Finance, Whatarangi Winiata.

ENDS

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