Hato Petera College

Story

Hato Petera College is an integrated, boarding and day co-educational college in Northcote Central, Auckland, New Zealand for students in Year 9 to Year 13. The school has a strong Catholic and Māori character. It is located on part of the land originally given by Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, to Bishop Pompallier, first Bishop of Auckland in 1849 for education purposes. The school was established and staffed in 1928 by the Mill Hill Fathers and later the Marist Brothers provided staff. Hato Petera College is the only Māori Catholic co-educational learning institute in the world.Tāhuhu kōrero (history)The landAn area of land was purchased by Sir George Grey from "... Ngāti Paoa and their related tribes of Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Tamatera, and Ngāti Whānaunga, Te Kawerau and Ngāti Whātua. Eruera Maihi Patuone, the Ngāpuhi chief was also concerned in the sale because his wife at that time was Riria, a member of the Hauraki tribes." The Governor set aside 359 acres of the purchase for educational purposes and of this 250 acres was given to Bishop Pompallier, who endeavored to carry out this intention. The area which became the site of the college was an area of 32 acres. The area was partly occupied by a girls' orphanage which burnt down in 1913. A large house was also existing on the site in 1928 and this became the residence of the Mill Hill Fathers.