Redesignation ceremony

22 Oct 2009

The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, redesignated Māori leader Sir Archie Te Atawhai Taiaroa as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit at a ceremony at Hato Pāora College on 21 October 2009.

While Sir Archie was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori in 2003, under changes to the New Zealand Royal Honours system, he elected to be redesignated as a Knight Companion.

The ceremony was of special significance for Sir Archie and Lady Taiaroa as it occurred on the paepae of the marae at Hato Pāora College where he received his secondary education.

For the Governor-General, the day began with a traditional challenge from Māori warriors at the entrance to the school’s marae.   Thereafter followed a series of speeches of welcome, including a mihi in which the Governor-General spoke at length in Māori.  As well, students at Hato Pāora College sang a number of waiata and performed a mass haka when the Governor-General entered the marae grounds.

With the completion of the welcome ceremony, the redesignation ceremony followed, but not before Morvin Edwards gave a speech praising the qualities of Lady Taiaroa.

In his address, the Governor-General spoke of the values of Hato Pāora College, which was established in 1947 as a Catholic boys’ school.  He said the school’s success rested on two pillars. 

“The first is the School’s special character as a Catholic school and particularly the inspiration drawn from the life and teachings of its patron saint, Hato Pāora—St Paul.   …  That special character instils values of honesty and responsibility, leadership, tolerance, care of others, and self-respect among many others. 

“The second pillar is the emphasis on te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.  The philosophy of the school, to specifically provide for the cultural values of Māori youth, was established from the beginning.”

The Governor-General said those pillars helped Hato Pāora develop boys who aspire to achieve.  “The alumni of this School include a veritable who’s who of Māori leaders.  They include businessmen such as Wayne Walden and Robin Hapi, sportsmen such as Morvin Edwards and Shannon Pauku and, of course, Sir Te Atawhai Taiaroa.  They are an inspiration to the young men here today.”

The Governor-General then spoke of Sir Archie’s many achievements in public life and read the citation when he was made a DCNZM in 2003.   Sir Archie then knelt on a stool before the Governor-General and received the ancient “accolade of knighthood” with the touching of a sword blade on both shoulders.

Sir Archie then spoke to the large crowd assembled outside the marae wharenui.  He talked of how he had visited Hato Pāora College on its opening day in 1947 and how he started as a student at the College three years later. 

With the completion of the formal ceremonies, the large number of guests retired to the school gymnasium where they were served lunch and watched cultural performances by the school’s students. 

To see more images from the ceremony, click here