Step announced towards future of Hato Pētera site

The “preliminary indications of interest” (PII) process invites organisations, collectives and partners from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to put forward concepts that align with the long-term aspirations for Hato Pētera – including strong outcomes for Māori, rangatahi (young people), whānau and the wider community, alongside the Catholic mission of the site.

Hato Pētera College was established on land granted by the Crown in 1928 for educational purposes and served generations of Māori and Catholic whānau before closing in 2018. Since that time, the site has continued to be actively used for a range of interim education, community, and cultural purposes, while longer-term options were carefully considered.

Helen Te Hira, chair of the Wāwahi Ara Board, said the PII process marks an important step toward a sustainable and purpose-led future for Hato Pētera.

“This is an invitation to bring forward bold, values-aligned ideas for Hato Pētera – ideas that honour the legacy of the whenua while creating meaningful opportunities for future generations. We are seeking proposals that demonstrate innovation in community benefit and the capability to deliver enduring outcomes for both Māori and the wider public.”

The PII process is designed as an initial, non-binding stage, enabling respondents to outline high-level concepts, capability and alignment with the Hato Pētera vision before any further stages are considered.

Auckland Diocese general manager James van Schie welcomed the collaborative approach.

“We are encouraged by this process, which reflects both the significance of Hato Pētera and the need to carefully consider its future. We look forward to engaging with parties that respect the Catholic kaupapa of the site while supporting positive outcomes for communities across Tāmaki Makaurau,” Mr van Schie said.

Dame Naida Glavish, speaking on behalf of the Kāhui Kaumātua guiding the initiative alongside the Bishop of Auckland, said: “We are focused on progress for the future of Hato Pētera, ensuring decisions made today honour its legacy while creating opportunities for generations to come.”

The land remains a taonga (treasure) with deep cultural and historical significance. It is not for sale, but innovative financial models will be considered.

FULL STORY

Hato-Petera-PII-Press-Release.pdf