School Name in Te reo Māori

Creating a new Te Reo name for Wellington Girls’ College

Background

Pre-2020, when WGC was working on wayfinding around the school and designing the replacement for the Tower block, the design of the crest was considered, which led to questions about the current te reo Māori name for WGC – Te Kāreti Kōtiro o te Whanganui-a-Tara. 

Kāreti = college, kōtiro = girl (aged 3 – 12 years), Whanganui-a-Tara = speaks to the whole of Wellington. 

We wondered whether Te Atiawa were ever consulted about the name. Te Atiawa were asked, and as far as they knew, there had been no consultation. The suggestion at that time was to develop a new te reo Māori name that was more appropriate. 

In recent years, our relationship with Te Atiawa has developed, and we approached them for help. Neavin Broughton and Jennifer Dittmer, who work with us regularly, suggested that rather than gifting us a name, they work with us to develop one. That way, we would be able to tell the story of the name. 

Process

Guided by Neavin and Jenni, we put together a group of interested staff and a representative group of our Māori students from Y9s to Y13s.  We had two wānanga in 2024 and two this year. 

We discussed everything from how we were named, traditional ways places and people were named, what has come before us, the history of the school, the land around us, our aspirations for WGC, our values, our symbols and much more. 

You are welcome to read a more detailed description of the process here, as Neavin emphasised to us the importance of being able to tell the story of how the name was developed. 

Much of our work with Te Atiawa has centred around the ōhākī of Te Wharepouri. An ōhākī is the dying wish, or final instruction before death, and Te Wharepouri is a Te Atiawa ancestor. He said, 

I muri nei, kia pai ke aku taonga Māori, taonga Pākeha, kia tae ake te haruru o tō reo ki ahau i Te Reinga. 

After I have gone, be good to my Māori and my non-Māori, let the thunder of your voice reach me in the spirit land. 

From this, Te Atiawa invites us to test our decisions against four key questions – questions we use regularly for all major decision-making as a school:

• I muri nei – Is this sustainable?  Will this name be relevant in the years to come?

• Kia pai ke aku taonga Māori, taonga Pākeha – Does this name reflect and benefit Māori and non-Māori? (We thought about every group in the school – could they see themselves represented in this name? Were Māori and non-Māori voices present? )

• Kia haruru tō reo – Does this name positively impact our students, our teachers, and our wider community?

• I Te Reinga – Does this name reflect our past, our present and our future?

In our final wānanga, we tested the proposed name with these questions, and we were able to give it a resounding endorsement. The most important endorsement was from our students. 

Jenni and Neavin wrote the narrative below for us, and this element is as important as the name itself. 

Proposed name in Te Reo Māori and the narrative that goes with it.

Te Kura Manawaroa o Pipitea

Te Kura Manawaroa o Pipitea embodies the strength and resilience of its site, deeply rooted in the whenua of Pipitea. ‘Te kura’ represents more than just a school; it is a sanctuary where knowledge, culture and people thrive. The principle of ‘Manawaroa’ – honesty, integrity and perseverance reflects the enduring strength of the many that walk through its doors, carrying the legacies of their ancestors, past students and the hope for future generations.

The historical significance of Pipitea in Te Whanganui-a-Tara is profound. It is a place that has long protected and sustained generations of mana whenua, offering a nurturing environment where both mind and spirit are cultivated. Here, ākonga are empowered to grow and learn while embracing the values of Manaakitanga, Whakarangatira, Ngakau pono and Manawaroa.

Te Kura Manawaroa o Pipitea is more than just a school; it is a beacon of hope, guiding future generations with wisdom, compassion and unwavering fortitude.

Next steps

• We are now asking you for ideas about how to improve on what has been promulgated and whether you see yourself and your connection to WGC reflected in this name

• We will ask current students, staff & whānau

• We will ask former students, staff & whānau

• We will ask Board – who will have the final say in approving the name

• Form for feedback is here

• Final date for feedback – 5 May

Launch

• Wednesday, 18 June (leading up to Matariki, a time for reflection and new beginnings)

• 25th period; 11.40am; whole school

Te Atiawa suggestions as to how else they could support this kaupapa

A Mouri stone (pounamu).  It would be sourced from the Arahura river on the west coast of the South Island. Te Atiawa have offered to facilitate this for us. Tikanga would be developed regarding its care, where and how it is displayed in the school and its use. The hope is that the mouri will be available for 18 June.

Significance:
Mouri stones are considered sacred and are believed to hold a vital connection to the land and its resources, acting as a tangible reminder of the importance of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and conservation). 

Purpose:
They serve as a grounding element, fostering well-being and encouraging people to leave their burdens at the door and focus on their journey towards well-being and reaching their full potential. 

• A school waiata – written for us, telling the story of the name (unlikely to be this year)

• A school haka – written for us, telling the story of the name  (unlikely to be this year)

Future branding

Te Atiawa have already mocked up what this might look like. They want the Te Reo name at the bottom representing the whenua – it is the foundation on which the school sits.

We would change our school crest on everything – most obviously the uniform and all Branding. This could happen quickly, and all newly produced uniform would carry the new  logo from the start of 2026.