Pukapuka captures celebrated Hato Hohepa history

Huia has published A History of St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College, celebrating the Napier-based school’s 150 year history and its influence on generations of wahine Maori.

Author Malcolm Mulholland, a senior researcher at Massey University’s Te Pūtahi-a-Toi, School of Māori Studies, Mulholland conducted more than 160 interviews with former pupils, staff and their whānau.

He also delved into the reasons for its founding in 1867 by a French order, the Sisters of Our Lady of Missions, the influence of the Catholic Church at the time and the enduring relationship the school has with the Congregation of Sisters and its religious values.

The book covers how the college overcame challenges such as the Napier earthquake and underfunding as well as racial, gender and religious prejudice.

Huia executive director Eboni Waitere says Dr Mulholland has captured the unique spirit of sisterhood and pride in being Māori that is so prevalent at this college.

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