SEPTEMBER 2025

Kia ora koutou katoa,

It has been another huge week for Mount Maunganui College with sports and the Arts featuring prominently.

Below, we highlight some of our past and current students who are excelling in their fields, and there is much to celebrate. If you hear of anyone you think we could feature in Oceanside, please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know. Additionally, please forward this to anyone you think may be interested and have them register here.

Our new builds are coming along well and should be finished ahead of schedule. These buildings will have a significant impact on the school's atmosphere, and we are excited to see what the changes will bring.

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STEVE BRAUNIAS

Past pupil and former Mount Maunganui College School Year Book editor Steve Braunias has released his latest book on the ‘trial of the century’ of Auckland-based ophthalmologist Philip Polkinghorne. Steve is a writer and columnist, well known for his interesting take on people and places in New Zealand.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polkinghorne-steve-braunias-on-his-new-book-on-the-trial-of-the-century/NIPZMP5E4VHYFEB5RJ5D6XWOAY/

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JAI KNIGHT

Congratulations to former First XV captain Jai Knight, for his selection in the Bay of Plenty Steamers. Jai debuted off the bench in the early rounds but has made the starting XV recently with some huge shifts in the second row.

https://www.facebook.com/boprugby/posts/jai-knight-moves-to-the-bench-potential-debut-on-ways-were-pumped-for-this-young/1316351487159229/

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TYRA WETERE

PAYTON TAKIMOANA

Tyra Wetere and Payton Takimoana have both been selected for the Warriors in the WNRL. Both women have earned starting roles, with Payton topping the try scoring record for the competition.

https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/360799195/payton-takimoana-scores-again-warriors-nrlw-hopes-hang-thread-after-loss-sharks

https://www.warriors.kiwi/teams/?competition=161&team=500472

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ASHA JAMES

Current student and Sports Leader Asha James has made her debut for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix. A versatile player, Asha has played halfback and on the wing.

https://www.facebook.com/boprugby/posts/our-game-is-growing-welcome-to-our-newest-volcanix-for-the-2025-fpc-seasoncongra/1307589231368788/

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HIGH ACHIEVERS 


 Basketball
Mount Maunganui College Premier Boys have taken out the 2025 AA School Zone 2 Boys Competition with a 79-78 win over Hamilton Boys High School in the Grand Final. Our Premier Girls took out 3rd Place in the same competition with a 62-35 win in their Bronze Medal game vs Rotorua Girls High School.

Congratulations to the 2025 Under 18 Girls National Champions – Tauranga Basketball Association. Mount Maunganui College Students Shamar Broughton, Charis Broughton, Riley McClenaghan, Aaliyah Hill, Ellie Davis and Kashana Murray competed for the Tauranga Basketball Association Under 18 Girls over the holiday break and came home with a national title.

Individual Highlights:

  • Shamar Broughton was named the MVP and named in the All Star Five
  • Charis Broughton was named as the Defensive Player of the Tournament and named in the All Star Five

Climbing
The Mount Maunganui College Climbing team had an amazing weekend in Taranaki and put on a show during the NZSS Climbing Nationals. The team won the cup for the Top School for the 4th year in a row.


Mila Piatek 16th in the world and now the U17 New Zealand record holder. Mila has been climbing for the New Zealand Youth Climbing Team at the IFSC Youth World Championship in Helsinki, Finland, in which she has recently set two PBs, landing a 8.65 in her final run and setting the new U17 New Zealand record. 

Wrestling
Kurei Harawira of Year 10 recently competed for the New Zealand Development Team in Wrestling over in Sydney, Australia as part of the Australian National Wrestling Championships. He produced outstanding results.

  • 1st Place - Under 15, under 75kg
  • 3rd Place Equal - Under 17, under 80kg

The Grandpas' Hip Hop Team
The team participated in the DanceNZMade interschool Nationals in Palmerston North. Dressed as "old men" who have escaped from Mount Maunganui's retirement village, they impressed both the judges and the audience.

  • 2nd overall for the Open Dance teams (29 teams)
  • 1st overall for the Street Style teams
  • 2nd-highest scoring team overall across the competition, winning $1,000 for the Dance Department

The team performed amazingly and displayed outstanding choreography by Sienna Lagerberg.

Team Members:

  • Georgia Annear
  • Milan Brown
  • Montana Cullwick
  • Skye Faile
  • Ava Haslett
  • Eunice Kim
  • Sienna Lagerberg
  • Kate Mitchell
  • Sophie Robinson

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

40 years ago