The Pou

A Gift of Legacy:
'The Heretaungan' Sculpture Blessed and Unveiled at Hastings Boys' High School

In a moving ceremony held on Wednesday 16July 2025, Hastings Boys’ High School officially unveiled and blessed a striking new sculpture titled The Heretaungan, a gift generously provided by the Hastings Boys' High School Foundation. The sculpture now stands proudly at the heart of the school's newly developed front car park and green space, symbolising connection, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the school.

Students, staff, whānau, trustees, and community leaders gathered for the blessing, led by local kaumātua Hawira Hape, in a moment of reflection and gratitude that marked the sculpture’s formal welcome to the school grounds. The event celebrated not only the arrival of an impressive piece of art, but also the strengthening of the ties between the school, its past pupils, and the wider school community. 

Commissioned by the Foundation, The Heretaungan was designed to reflect the school's proud heritage and deep connection to the land and its diverse community. The name acknowledges both the local whenua and the generations of young men who have walked the halls of Hastings Boys' High School, contributing to its proud legacy.

Foundation Chairperson Barry Rosenberg said the decision to gift the sculpture came from a desire to leave a lasting legacy on the landscape of the school. "We wanted to provide something meaningful that would stand as a symbol of strength, unity, and aspiration for every young man who steps onto this site," he said.

Set in the school's recently completed front development — a blend of modern car park infrastructure and landscaped green space — the sculpture now acts as both a visual centrepiece and a cultural landmark.

As part of the ceremony, senior students performed a haka, waiata, and karakia following the blessing, honouring both the sculpture and the spirit in which it was given.

The Heretaungan is expected to become a defining feature of the school’s entrance — a powerful reminder of identity, legacy, and pride for generations to come.