'Maori College will rise again'

PRAISE: Students gathered to celebrate their time at the school.

The battle to save Turakina Maori Girls' College is not over.

That was the vow of the Reverend Wayne Te Kaawa yesterday as the college bade farewell to what were supposed to be the last students in its 110-year history. A week ago, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the closure of the Marton college after a consultation period sparked by a drop in the number of students and financial difficulties.

However, yesterday Mr Te Kaawa, chairman of the college board of proprietors, had a strong message for the minister.

"Hekia Parata, the fight has just begun," he said to rousing applause at the end of a day of celebration meant to mark the final closing of the school gates.

Board of trustees chairwoman Trish Amoroa said the school community was not calling it the end for Turakina Maori Girls' College.

"We have discussed with the students that Turakina is okioki - she is resting now and will eventually rise again," Ms Amoroa said.

Around 300 whnau, friends and supporters gathered in the school grounds to farewell the students, celebrate their achievements and lend their support to the school.

Students from Maori boarding schools Hato Paora College and Te Aute College performed haka and Turakina alumni who had attended the college in the 1940s and 1950s sang the waiata they had written when they were students.

Board of trustees member Kellee Rangitawa-Candy told the students how very proud of them the board members were.

"You had the choice to leave back in August when the consultation process started, but you chose to stay and we love you for it," she said.

Ms Rangitawa-Candy said she would be available as a mentor and the school community would still be there for them.

Before Mr Te Kaawa gave his final karakia, he talked about Ms Parata's intention to close the school.

"When the consultation process was announced, there was no way we were going to win because the ministry were controlling the procedure," he said.

"All that is happening today is that these students are leaving the school and they won't be coming back."

The students performed a farewell haka answered by their teachers and school alumni before some departed with their families and others stayed to socialise or spend some time in the school chapel.