Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura 

On Wednesday 7 May 2025, we officially opened Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura — our beautiful new Whare Āhuru Mōwai, a special space of learning, reflection, and connection that embraces the theme of Te Mana Wāhine – The Empowerment of Women.

Drina Paratene

Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura – The heart of a female leader.

This long-dreamed-for whare stands as a physical and cultural centre for our school, a place where students can feel a deep sense of tūrangawaewae – belonging and identity. It is a space that honours Te Ao Māori, while also welcoming the many cultures that make up the Westlake community.

The teaching, stories, and values woven into this space reflect our commitment to Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Fairness.

As part of the whare’s development, Westlake Girls alumna Emma Jane Ormsby (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou) has collaborated with our art students to create a series of Māori sculpture artworks. These prototype designs depict female Māori atua and celestial whakapapa, and will form the basis for a stunning series of interior sculptural panels and pou.

The school has fully funded the design, architecture, engineering, and construction of the whare. We are now seeking funding support for the creation of the sculptural artworks that will complete the interior — a project estimated at $350,000.

These taonga will transform the space into a richly symbolic, culturally grounded whare that will inspire generations of students to come.

It’s not just about the money

Please help us turn this important element of our project into a reality. If you’d like to be involved in other ways, for example, by volunteering or sharing your relevant experience, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Marie McKerrow if you are interested in supporting this project in non-financial ways.