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College proud to get new name

At St Patrick’s College, Wellington we have been on a journey to deepen our connection with the mana whenua of the land our school sits on, Te Āti Awa; this has been a deliberate and heartfelt part of our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to becoming a school that reflects the cultural narratives and aspirations of the people of this rohe (land).

Our journey has allowed us as a school to reflect upon the whenua we stand on, the iwi who hold mana whenua, and the shared future we are building together. We have been challenged and inspired to ask how we, as a Catholic boys college, can align our faith and values with a truly bicultural future.

With our growing understanding of the local histories surrounding our school, we began to reflect more intentionally on our school’s Māori name: Hato Pātariki ki Pōneke. While Pōneke is a widely used Māori transliteration of “Port Nicholson”, an early colonial name for Wellington Harbour, it refers broadly to the city of Wellington, rather than to the specific whenua that our school occupies. While this name once served to distinguish us from our brother school in St Patrick’s College - Silverstream, it no longer reflects the depth of our current knowledge and partnerships. 

Silverstream, by contrast, carries the name Māwaihakona, after the stream that runs near their college and flows into Te Awakairangi (the Hutt River). Their name beautifully anchors them to their land and water. 

This inspired us to begin our kōrero with mana whenua, seeking a name that reflects our place, people, and purpose.

In late 2024, we submitted a request to the Te Āti Awa whakapapa committee, the body responsible for naming places within the rohe. We asked for their guidance on whether our current name should remain, or whether a change would better reflect our identity and relationship with mana whenua.

We are proud to now carry the name:

Hato Pātariki ki Ākau Tangi

Ākau Tangi is the traditional name for the area surrounding Evans Bay that our kura overlooks each day. The name can be translated as “the sounding shore”, a poetic reflection of the winds and waves that shape and define the environmental atmosphere surrounding our school.

With the College embracing the name Hato Pātariki ki Ākau Tangi, we affirm that:

  • Our school is grounded in place and people,
  • We honour the kōrero tuku iho, the stories, names, and wisdom passed down through generations,
  • We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi through action, not just intention,
  • We walk in faith as a Catholic community while also embracing the cultural identity of Aotearoa.

For our College, this is more than a new name. It is a living expression of our respect for the land, the people, and the journey ahead. It is our way of saying that we are here with humility to learn and in partnership with those who have always been here. This name honours both our heritage and our future. It marks a milestone in our College’s story, not an endpoint but a continuation of our shared journey with mana whenua, with whānau, and with each other.