APRIL 2026

Kia ora koutou katoa,

2026 started on a sombre note as we returned to school in the shadow of the tragedy of the landslides on Mauao. There was a huge response from Mount Maunganui, with iwi, schools and many other community members lending support where they could. It is fair to say that end of our community has had a different feel of late, and I’m sure we are all missing our personal connections with our beautiful maunga. Hopefully the council will share some positive news over the coming months.

Our new blocks are very close to completion and are looking stunning. Thanks to the staff and students who have contributed to the artwork that helps tie our shared stories together. Many former students will remember ‘B Block’ with mixed feelings and I have to say the new open space its demolition has created in the centre of the school is a nice change.

Other property news will see the beginning of construction of our new 50m swimming pool on the site of our current pool. This project has been a longtime in the making and is a genuine community partnership. Our old Nelson Block (F Block) has been approved and scheduled for refurbishment in the second half of 2026. With that complete, Mount Maunganui College will have over two thirds of its classroom spaces less than four years old.

About time, I say.

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JOE SPIERS

Congratulations to Joe Spiers (2021) for capturing one of the defining nights of summer, DJ Fisher. Joe was one of our AV legends while at school and has done incredibly well to make a career out of his passion. Check out some of his work here:

 https://thisisvalley.co.nz/work

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JAI KNIGHT

Jai Knight (2022) was back in rugby headlines during the Chiefs' preseason, coming off the bench against the Drua in front of his family and home club at Blake Park. Jai dotted down for a try and made some huge contributions across the field and in the lineout.

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JAXON WILLOWS

Jaxon Willows (2025) has had a phenomenal summer in the surf, taking out the open men's longboard title and taking his skills to Noosa in a World Surf League Qualifier. Jaxon made the final and was interviewed by WSL hype guy, longboard legend and Mount Maunganui College Alumni Caelen Pitkeathly (2025).

https://surfingnz.co.nz/latest/rare-double-double-for-youngsters-in-longboard-divisions/

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HIGH ACHIEVERS 

Scholarships
Many of you will be aware of our outstanding scholarship results, with 21 earned overall, making us the leading public school in the city for NZQA scholarships. Three students earned outstanding scholarships.

This is on top of NCEA Level 2 results over 90%, more than 10% above the equity index average and more that 16% above the national average. University Entrance was at 62.7%, more than 10% above both the national and equity index average.

Jiu Jitsu
Finn Van Gisbergen has begun his year strongly with an impressive outing in Christchurch.

• Competition: Submission Zone Christchurch
• Juvenile open belt and open weight division (16-17 years) Gi - Gold Medal
• Adult Purple belt No Gi division - Gold Medal

Football
Lane Ririnui is off next week with the New Zealand Secondary School Girls’ Football U19’s tour 2026 to Thailand.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES 1966

60 years ago