Manaakitanga in MacGibbon House

It can be a challenging time for new boarders to adjust to life away from their home and family, with lots of different routines and expectations to contend with. However, Assistant Director of Boarding and MacGibbon Boarding House Manager, Struan George, says the promotion of manaakitanga helps to make the transition in MacGibbon House easier, especially for new and Year 9 boarders.

Learning to live with others in a communal environment is one of the biggest challenges facing new boarders. It is also a time where new friendships and relationships are developing. Manaakitanga is the process of showing respect, generosity, and care for others.

Adopting manaakitanga values provides us with a framework to support the boys’ transition into boarding, foster and strengthen new connections, and help them to be the best version of themselves in an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Since the beginning of the year, Year 9 and 10 boarders have been encouraged to reflect on how they can embody the principles of Manaaki tangata (care for people), Manaaki whenua (care for land or the house), and Haere Whakamua (go forth and take action) in their interactions with each other and their care of the boarding environment.

Posters in each dorm room remind the boys of the four important values of respect, inclusivity, courtesy, and brotherhood, which underpin their daily lives.

“We start our House Meetings every Monday talking about manaakitanga and have an action of the week we encourage the boys to focus on. These are usually small actions which relate back to managing self and positively engaging with others and could be as simple as asking their roommate how their day was, including someone who appears quiet or a bit left out, or learning how to open the door for others.”

Many of the actions tie back to the Key Competencies in the curriculum, as well as to the boarding motto, Te Taki Tino Ma – be the best to lead the rest, says Struan. “This is how we support the boys to not only be the best versions of themselves, but also have agency to help others be the best versions of themselves.”

In addition to the weekly actions, MacGibbon House celebrates boys who go above and beyond in demonstrating manaakitanga, Struan says.

The boys love checking out the names each Monday, to see who has been recognised by the tutors for displaying Te Taki Tino Ma values and will receive the coveted chocolates. We have also introduced a special Manaakitangi Award, which is given out at the end of each term, to the boy who has exemplified manaakitangi in the House.

The first recipient of the award was long-standing tutor, Jono Oxley (OC 2012), who finished in the role at the end of 2023 after eight years’ service. On the back of the wooden trophy is an inspiring Maya Angelou quote, which Jono adapted and delivered during a speech at last year’s Boarders’ Dinner. The quote reads, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, and forget what you achieved, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.’

This quote embodies the manaakitanga philosophy, and also how Jono contributed so much to the growth of individuals in MacGibbon House. It’s great to offer this award to the MacGibbon boys each year who exemplify the same spirit.