Governor-General ‘hopeful’ at redeveloped school

History was made in the Maniototo yesterday.

Governor-General Cindy Kiro officially opened the Maniototo Area School redevelopment which began in 2020.

Dame Cindy said it was the first time she had opened a school and her first visit to Maniototo as Governor-General.

Maniototo Area School principal Melissa Bell invited Dame Cindy to decline any other invitations so MAS remained the only one.

Dame Cindy spoke to the school’s pupils in her speech asking if anyone knew what she did.

Few raised their hands and she explained King Charles delegated all his "Kingly duties" to her as he lived so far away.

As Governor-General she met all kinds of important people and extraordinary, ordinary people but her favourite bit of all of it was meeting young people like those at Maniototo, Dame Cindy said.

"I have two grandchildren ... and I am immensely hopeful and optimistic and aspirational for their futures just as I am for yours."

Returning to the adults, she acknowledged a lot of work had gone into the redevelopment.

"But also what a big impact this school will have on the wider community for many years to come.

"Schools, churches ... marae have always been a locus for communities and I am aware that your school will continue to be that for this community."

"It’s wonderful to think of all the learning and the growth that will take place here in the years to come.

"All the creativity, the discovery and importantly the fun and the pleasure of learning."

"School was an extremely important part of my time in life it gave me a chance to better know myself, my interests and the sort of person that I hoped to become — and also the people I wanted to hang around with.

"It’s one of the reasons I have chosen to come and be with you here today because I know how important education is."

She urged pupils to make use of their learning for the good of their whanau, their community and the country as a whole.

"The greatest gift is the gift of service and it’s something I believe very deeply in and am very committed to."

Whatever path the children followed, they should take with them a deep sense of pride in coming from this beautiful part of the country and share that with others, she said.

Ms Bell, who started at MAS in January, paid tribute to former principals Joe Ferdinands and Patsy Inder for their foresight and work to create the new school.

The redevelopment — which had extended over eight years, three principals and four boards of trustees — had cost more than $11million.

The final stage, redeveloping the gym and replacing turf was under way.