Flaxmere College students serve up Matariki hangi to thank builders
Construction workers undertaking a multi-million dollar rebuild at Flaxmere College have been treated to a Matariki hangi and dessert prepared by some of the College’ students as thanks for their hard mahi.
STEAD Construction is currently working on the rebuild that will see a new teaching block (modern learning environment) and administration block built, along with a totally renovated hall, with a hospitality and performing arts suite and renovated gymnasium.
The workers, who have been on site for most of the year, sat down to the meal in the partially completed learning block at lunchtime today. The meal had been prepared by senior students, who were given the task of feeding the school’s manuhiri (guests) as a way of saying thanks and celebrating the end of Matariki, the Māori New Year.
On the menu was pork, chicken, potato, kumara, pumpkin, carrots, stuffing, watercress and rewana bread followed by a self-saucing chocolate pud with cream.
The course the students are on allows them to plan and organise the process of a hangi, understand the tikanga associated with it and most importantly get satisfaction from giving back to others.
Flaxmere College Principal Jim Hay-Mackenzie says the progress that STEAD Construction and its teams of sub-contractors are making has been impressive.
“We are very thankful for their mahi and are extremely excited about the new school rebuild.”
“It will be a fantastic environment which will match the quality teaching and learning that is happening here, and one in which students, staff and our wider community whanau can be proud of."
STEAD Construction Director and Project Manager Brett Phillips says his company has been involved in the project for about 18 months as it has been a design-build contract with the Ministry of Education.
“We are five to six months into the build, and it is going well. Everything is on track.”
He says that anticipation of the meal had been building on site the whole week.
“It was fantastic for the school to think of us and to put on something like this. Preparing 50 meals for our staff and sub-contractors would not have been an easy task, so we say thanks to them for that.”
PHOTO: STEAD Construction staff working on the Flaxmere College rebuild were treated to a hangi for lunch by students today. Year 11 student Thomas Knox (right) serves STEAD Director and Project Manager Brett Phillips.
