18th February, 2000, Blessing Ceremony, Wellington
The purpose of this ceremony was to seek support from a higher level, to bless the Te Kete Ipurangi project and to ensure that as we developed the site we were conscious of our obligations to the spiritual world.
Gathered outside were representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, workers and supporters of the Te Kete Ipurangi project and staff from 32 Blair Street. At 7 o'clock the blessing ceremony began, performed by Te Aorere Riddell. The rooms and offices were tramped and finally everyone gathered on the second floor beside the TKI computers.
Pere Maitai spoke on behalf of the Ministry laying a challenge that the project must be true to the Māori language. Next Hohepa Campbell spoke on behalf of his school Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua and also on behalf of all schools. David Copeland, on behalf of the Learning Centre Trust, was the final speaker. He gratefully thanked Te Aorere Riddell for conducting the ceremony, he acknowledged all who were present, and all who had been responsible for the work that had already be done, and he looked forward to what lay ahead.
The ceremony closed with a kai.