Dux Korowai

AT SENIOR PRIZE GIVING TWO SPECIAL TAONGA WERE PRESENTED TO OUR IB DUX, IRIS MA, AND NCEA DUX, PIPPA NICOL, IN THE FORM OF TWO PRECIOUS KOROWAI. THE TWO KOROWAI ARE STUNNING PIECES OF WORK THAT WERE WORN WITH PRIDE BY THE CURRENT DUXES OF THE COLLEGE AT PRIZE GIVING AND WILL BE HANDED DOWN TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW.

Charlotte-Jane Mears, now Year 12, and Jane Ball, Alumnae Relations Director, Queen Margaret College Old Girl and Deputy Board Chair, designed and created the two beautiful korowai under cultural guidance.

The IB dux korowai is based on the whakataukī 'Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei', which translates to ‘Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.’ This speaks to aiming high and being persistent in reaching goals and overcoming obstacles.

The feathers in this korowai link to the huia bird. The huia is a symbol of nobility and leadership. It is worn by people of great mana. Because the huia is extinct, it is a rare but well remembered sacred symbol, just as the IB diploma is rare in the New Zealand education system, and how our students, in particular our Dux, leave a legacy behind when they depart from our college grounds. It also symbolises the idea of being grounded as the huia is a forest bird, much like anyone with goals of becoming Dux should aim to be.

The NCEA Dux is based on the whakataukī 'Mā te ako ka mārama, Mā te mārama ka mātau, Mā te mātau ka ora' which translates to, ‘Through learning comes understanding; through understanding comes knowledge and wisdom; through knowledge and wisdom comes life and wellbeing.’ This whakataukī speaks of the process of life through learning.

The korowai links to the feathers of the kererū, representing strength and growth; the idea of freedom and soaring through the sky just as our Duxes do in their learning space. The freedom to learn and grow and reach sky-high goals, overcoming challenges that come your way.

The feather gradient of our korowai represents the journey of knowledge, learning and clarity. Both will gain tāniko bands as they are created, linking back to the school tukutuku panel, which you can find in the atrium.

These precious, enduring taonga will be woven into the traditions of Queen Margaret College Prize Givings, adorning the shoulders of Duxes for years to come.