One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest boarding schools is finally on the cusp of reopening 23 years after closing. Nathan Durie and Yvette McCausland-Durie, who will lead the revival of St Stephen’s School, or Tīpene, were welcomed on site last week to launch the endeavour that will see students return to class in 2025.
The two educators have already created a successful legacy in Palmerston North, establishing Manukura, a special character school that focuses on academic excellence, high-performance sport and cultural commitment.
Now they hope to do the same for Māori boys at Tīpene.
“We're really passionate about education and we've used sport as a catalyst along with culture to drive outcomes, so there'll be some similar things but we're very aware that this is a different cohort,” McCausland-Durie explains.
“Māori boys are a special group and they need different aspects and different ways of working with them, so we're looking forward to that challenge. We don't have all the answers, but we're prepared to work hard.”
A former student of St Stephen’s himself, Durie said the kura gave him a sense of ability and confidence that, in those days, weren’t widely taught.
“This was a place that enabled us to be Māori, enabled us to celebrate being Māori, more importantly, and for those of us who are a little bit older than others, it was at a time when those things were often pushed to the side.
“So Tīpene enabled that opportunity for young people like myself and many, many others that have come here,” he said.
The couple plan to utilise the location of the school to expand opportunities for students as well we build additional facilities and classes.
“Different opportunity students don't want to be studying all day so certainly sport, culture, the ability to really embrace the opportunities that Auckland has – there's a number of opportunities,” said McCausland-Durie.
“Just being here on the farm, around industry, the ability to get them out to engage in a new community, but also, that opportunity to take them back and to really get across the country and continue to make sure that their skills are relevant going forward, and as graduates, they're really confident as Māori, and competent in whatever the venture is that they want to get into.”
A strong contingent of old boys were on hand at the pōwhiri to welcome the couple into their roles, including prominent Māori leaders Joe Harawira, Te Ururoa Flavell, Waihoroi Shortland, and Selwyn Parata.
When asked how the couple envision the new coalition government to work with the school, Durie noted the presence of politicians Tama Potaka, John Tamihere and Shane Jones at the event, and said there’s clearly an understanding that this is important to the community.
But they plan to lead from the front.
“It's not for us to leave for others to determine for us but rather for us to determine for our self and allow them to understand that we can operate these types of education institutions on our own.”
The school is currently accepting expressions of interest for Year 9 and 10 student enrolments from 2025 onwards with a limit of 20-30 boys for each cohort.
Glossary
kura – school
pōwhiri – welcoming ceremony
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