An old dog with a mission

Security officer Anthony Dalton and Nugget, the 'true kaitiaki' of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rangiawhia.

No one at Whatuwhiwhi seems to be pleased by the Ministry of Education's decision to close Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rangiawhia, but only one individual has lost his job. Although he won't be aware of it.

Security staff who were at the school last week reckoned Nugget, an old dog who moved into the school some years ago after he was abandoned by his owners, was the kura's true kaitiaki, a role that he takes seriously.

He not only kept an eye on the children when they were at school, security officer Anthony Dalton said, but would go with them on excursions, very clearly in the self-appointed role as their minder.

John McMahon, who chaired the board of trustees until it was dissolved by the ministry earlier this year, agreed. He recalled a function at the nearby fire station, and the sudden appearance of a very aggressive dog.

"Nugget charged out and saw him off," he said. "He got a bit of a hiding but he was keen to get out there."

Nugget became the kura's dog after his owners moved away and left him behind. Two subsequent occupants of the house had cared for him for a time, but they too had left, so he moved into the school.

Now showing every sign of having qualified for his SuperGold gold card - although there's nothing wrong with his hearing; he appeared from behind the school last week when his name was called, not especially loudly - he seems content to conserve his energy when there isn't an emergency to deal with, and to nurture his friendship with a young cat that appears to have made the school her own.

And while the kura's future is unknown, John had no doubt that it would continue to provide Nugget with a home for as long as he needed it.

"He won't go hungry. Everyone will look after him," he said.