Ōtūmoetai Primary School illuminates past, present and future

The pou illuminated in yellow and blue, representing the school’s colours. Image: Kane Evans-McLeod.

In 1939, all Māori students from Ngāi Tamarāwaho, were forcibly removed from Ōtūmoetai Primary School and relocated to Bethlehem Native School. For current principal Zara McIndoe, this was a new revelation and one that propelled her to act. 

In February 2019, a kuia from the local hapū accompanied the school’s Kaumātua Des Tata to their start of year pōhiri. It was then that Zara learned of the history of the school’s ākonga Māori. 

“I was referred to and read the thesis Te Mana Motuhake o Ngāi Tamarāwaho and the challenges of education written by Paul Woller in 2016. School committee minutes in the Tauranga Library confirmed that in 1938, the committee had instructed their secretary to write to the then Department of Education with a request to have all Māori students removed from the school. Of course, as tumuaki, I was horrified to find out about the history of our kura.”

Reflecting on her reaction to uncovering this chapter in the school’s past, Zara says, “I knew that an apology had to happen.”

Over the course of 18 months, Zara, along with deputy principal Marcus Hughes, engaged in discussions with Kaumātua and representatives from Ngāi Tamarāwaho. The decision was made to combine the apology with the school’s 125th anniversary, a milestone that held significant weight in acknowledging the past and moving forward in unity.

The apology took place on 30 October 2020, during the school’s anniversary event. Zara publicly apologised for the wrongful removal of Māori students from Ōtūmoetai Primary School in 1939. This marked a pivotal moment in the school’s history, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect.

Illuminating history

The journey didn’t end with the apology. Zara made a promise to make sure the school’s history was properly acknowledged and prominently displayed. This led to the creation of two pou, serving as a remembrance entranceway at the school.

The pou, designed and crafted by local carver Whare Thompson, stand as a symbol of reconciliation and unity. They incorporate elements of mana whenua and pay tribute to Ngāi Tamarāwaho history and ancestors. 

The front of the waharoa represents local tupuna Te Rauhea Paraone Koikoi and his wife Matatu Koikoi. Her hands have six fingers spread between her breast and stomach to represent their six daughters. The heads at the bottom of each poupou come together to represent Ngāi Tamarāwaho tupuna Kinotaraia. 

On the sides of the poupou are kōwhaiwhai patterns that represent mana whenua and the wider community. The continuous manawa line that runs through the pattern represents connection to the whenua and moana. The koru pattern within the design represents past, present, and future. 

The back of the waharoa represents the apology to Ngāi Tamarāwaho that was made in 2020. A male and female figure represent the students who were removed, and they are both holding branches that acknowledge and represent the wrongdoings of the past. Below each figure, two heads come together in a hongi to make one.

LED lights illuminate the pou at night, symbolising the school’s commitment to shedding light on its history.

“We want this part of our history to be known by all past, present, and future students, staff, parents, and whānau at Ōtūmoetai Primary,” Zara emphasises.

An ongoing commitment

The unveiling of the pou was a momentous occasion, attended by Ngāi Tamarāwaho, invited guests, and whānau, with performances by Year 6 kapa haka students.

Looking ahead, Zara envisions the pou serving as more than just symbolic structures. They will be integrated into the school’s curriculum, providing students with an opportunity to learn about the school’s history, pūrākau and the local area.

They are also one of many physical representations of the school’s commitment to honour the past and nurture a strong future. 

In 2023, the school opened a large canopy dome that was gifted the name Te Hokinga Mai (the return) by Ngāi Tamarāwaho, symbolising the return of the hapū to the kura. Zara says this name is hugely significant.

“We continue to build our relationship with the people of Ngāi Tamarawāho. We have worked with them to write our school’s story ‘He Kōrero Tuku Iho’ and to ensure that the pūrākau of the hapū are taught to our tamariki.”

Photo taken after the opening/blessing ceremony.