M.A.C has a proud tradition of putting your best foot forward at all times and in all things. On this page is the History behind M.A.C. College.

The Maori Agricultural College at Bridge Pa operated on 266 acres of land, had beds for 70 boarders, was a Mormon Church conference centre, trained a 25 member brass band, and had a top flight rugby team which included All Black Legend George Nepia.

The 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake destroyed the Maori agricultural college, which in its 18 year life played an important part in the growth of Hastings. MAC College produced men of great stature within the community. Men who were well educated and many would go on to become great leaders of men and very successful businessmen. The contributions of those who had attended MAC College to this country (Aotearoa) has been a wonder to behold. The generations who followed former students were also elevated by the achievements and the educational opportunities extended to their forebears. The last of the MAC Old boys (John Apiti) passed away recently.

The Last public trace of this facet of the city’s history is the MAC Sports Association, which still enters rugby teams in the local Hawkes Bay Competition & Inter-city netball teams.

The college had historical importance for its founders, the Latter day Saint Church. It was the first built by the Church outside of the United States.

It was recognition of the strength of the Church in New Zealand. The first baptism was in 1884, that same year Hastings with a population of 617, got its own town board.

First Steps toward the Maori Agricultural College, as it became known, were taken by the church in New Zealand in 1908, when it was decided to establish modern educational facilities for Maori boys.

It took five years for New Zealand's senior Church officials to convince the headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah to build the college.

FIRST 130 ACRES

It was in 1908 that a package of 130 acres of land at Korongata (Bridge Pa-Just on the outskirts of Hastings) was purchased from William and Thomas Thompson for 22 pound an acre with an option on a further 130 acres at 22.10 pound.

For another four years some of the land was farmed and the rest leased. The revenue earned went into the college construction fund.

The property was fenced, ploughed and sown with grain by Mormon missionaries and local members of the church who donated both time and equipment.

During this time, the Church engaged an architect, Mr. J.A Walker. To draw the plans.

W.H Hay and Son, Hastings, won the contract to build the college for 9351 pnd in November 1911.

It took about 18 months to build five separate buildings. There was a dormitory, constructed of brick and cement- 27 bedrooms with three beds in each – a large kitchen and dining room, and bathrooms. All of these rooms were very spacious.

The main building was the assembly hall which also included a chapel.

Classrooms and separate buildings were built of wood and housed the manual training classes, the laundry and ironing facilities and the families of the faculty staff.

OPENING CEREMONY.

The school was officially opened and dedicated on Monday April 7 1913. Between 500 and 600 people attended, including about 200 local Maori.

The cost of construction was 12,000pnd with farm implements, furnishings and other equipment making the total cost of the college 17,000pnd

The opening began with a service and the singing of hymns by a Maori choir.

The President of the mission, Orson D. Romney, said that the college would be only the beginning of the Church in New Zealand.

The college president, Professor J. Johnson, said Europeans would not be admitted to attend this school. “The sole object in erecting the school was to give assistance in the better training and education of Maori Boys in order that they might take their place in the activities of the commercial world and as intelligent citizens."

COST 12pnd a year

The cost to a student for his schooling including room, eating, laundry and the use of all modern conveniences for a whole year would be 12pnd. “It was not a money making exercise,” he told the crowd.

The Maori members of the Church had at the time of the opening, contributed up to 900pnd toward construction. However! Further pledges of 1pnd each were expected to bring the fund up to 4000pnd.

The balance of money for the buildings, land, furnishings and equipment would be provided out of an annual appropriation from the funds of the Church headquarters in Salt lake City, Utah. United States.

The fees increased to 16pnd in 1915 and to 20pnd by 1930, by which time students no longer worked on the farm, as they had previously done to help defray expenses.

To help parents meet the cost of fees, the school agreed to accept potatoes, meat, other food items and even livestock, equivalent to the fee.

In 1925, the College Board decided that any student who entered the school after earning a Proficiency Certificate from his previous school would receive s scholarship of 16pnd a year.


MAC WAS ALSO A PREP SCHOOL

The students were classified as either regular or special. A “regular” student was one who resided at the college and was taking all the classes necessary for graduation. A “special’ student did not have to reside at the college and took a limited number of classes.

The school was divided into two main areas. The preparatory department, which took students, aged 13 and 14. It was a two year department after which the students graduated into the four-year high school.

The school was of two terms of equal length. At the end of each term the students had to pass a final examination in order to be promoted to a higher grade.

A list of 27 subjects was offered, including agronomy, animal husbandry, outdoor farm work, penmanship, physiology and hygiene, civics, field corps, soil management and theology.

The student organisation consisted of a Student Body President and two counsellors. Their job was to see that there was “no iniquity, nor dissatisfaction in the midst of the students.”

The student body elected the officers after which they were approved by the Faculty. Several students were appointed school monitors and were responsible for the maintenance of discipline. The dormitories and other buildings were maintained by the students.

Faculty members visited the students by appointment in their private rooms and taught them in matters of moral welfare and encouraged them to comply with all the rules.

The student operated their own Sunday school and priesthood meetings at the school. Except for key positions, the students staffed these organisations. Sunday school, Sacrament meetings and MIA were held every Sunday, priesthood classes meetings once a month and theology classes three times a week.

CONFERENCE CENTRE


The NZ mission frequently held its conferences at the college and also published the mission magazine, Te Karere, at the school.The faculty consisted of some trained teachers from the United States and several missionaries.

The music department with its band, choir and “Gee Club” performed at benefit concerts in Hastings and Napier and also sang over the radio.

The students also displayed their talents in the Hawkes Bay A+P Show with such items as mechanical and furniture drawings.

In 1915, the MAC Band undertook a tour of several major communities in the North Island. The tour included Dannesvirke, Palmerston North, Fielding, Wanganui, Manaia, Waiokura, Marton, Hawera, Taihape, Te Kuiti, Hamilton, Rotorua, Thames, Auckland and Whangarei.

The tour was undertaken to raise money for the relief of the suffering in Belgium and others affected by the disasters of the First World War and also to aid the Maori Contingent in Europe.

Although the tour was not a financial success, it gave MAC the stamp of honour in willing to help others.

SMALLPOX SCARE
Three months after the school opened in 1913, it gained national prominence when a smallpox scare hit the college. A 19 year old student, who had arrived from Kaikohe just five days earlier, had evidence of recent infection and several students had symptoms of the epidemic.

The students were put in isolation and the whole college staff and school was vaccinated and Government health officers cleaned all the buildings. The Government prohibited all travel by rail outside the province and all residents of Bridge Pa were also vaccinated.

OVERSEA SUPPORT

Members of the Church, both in New Zealand and the united States, presented many gifts to the college, including farm animals, farm equipment, school equipment, clothing and even the school bell. An Australian, Mr. Charles Hardy, donated his library to the college. This was eventually given to the B.Y.U University in Utah which is another Church school, after MAC College was closed a considerable amount of the equipment used in the school was obtained from the U.S including desks, sports equipment, a buggy, gang ploughs, a piano and typewriters. A Car, (a Franklin Sedan) was presented to MAC College for the use of the college principal and the Mission President by Mr. Angus T. Wright. More buildings were constructed. There were several farm buildings such as an egg hatchery, a chicken house, stables and a hay barn.



TWO FIRES
The faculty house burned down twice- in 1914 and 1925, and was rebuilt each time. The grounds underwent natural improvement with the building of fences, the planting of orchards, flowers, lawns and shrubbery. Farm stock increased through natural means and by donations and purchase. Horses, sheep, cows, pigs and chickens were used for educational purposes and food.  Some were sold. The school brought 136 acres of land next to the college in 1915.  The owner was so pleased to sell to the Church that he sold it for 5pnd an acre, less than any other offer he had. This increased the college land to 266 acres.  At the time the land was valued at $US 36,214 and the buildings $US 54,000.  Many individuals presented awards to the students for academic achievement. Messrs John S. Welch and Albert Sells, both former Presidents of the college, gave medals to winners in debate contests.  The New Zealand Mission Society presented a watch to the top student that graduated in a particular year and a Hastings Business man; Mr. Mat Johnson gave a gold medal to the student who the college determined most deserved it.

RUGBY ACHIEVEMENTS

In the areas of sport, M.A.C won considerable recognition. For the first three years, the school belonged to the local rugby union and won the Hawkes Bay Rugby Football Cup. After they had won their first game, several prominent LDS Church members presented the school with classy new uniforms. Pictured on our home page is the 1922 M.A.C college team with eventual All Blacks Invincibles, George Nepia and lui Paewai seated next to each other in the middle row. Maori All black Eru Te Ngaio is in front holding the ball. Also pictured in this photo is Elder Moser (with moustache) who George Nepia credited for his kicking and tackling prowess. It was Elder Moser who taught George Nepia to kick the rugby ball in a spiral designed after the manner in which the Americans would throw the grid iron ball. George became so expert at this style of kicking that he could kick the ball and make it land on a handkerchief 50 yards away or in todays language, 45.72 metres away. From about the tryline to just before the halfway line of a regular rugby field.
The Maori Ag as it was to be known on the local rugby scene was to produce many gifted rugby players over its 18 year life. George Nepia was first selected for the All Blacks whilst still attending M.A.C College as was Lui Paewai. Both, Nepia & Paewai were selected for the 1924 All Black Invincibles. There's not many secondary schools, even in todays terms, who could boast 2 members of the All Blacks from the their school at the same time, let alone 2 members of the greatest ever All Black team, The Invincibles.

M.A.C also had Hawea Mataira & Sam Gemmell selected for the All Blacks who attended the college with Tori Reid & Everard Jackson being selected as All Blacks from the M.A.C Old Boys Rugby Club.

The most recent All Black of prominence is Taine Randell who is a generational, by blood, M.A.C player who attended Lindesfarne College in Hastings before attending Otago University in Dunedin.

Randell was selected as an All Black in 1994, while in Otago and as All Black Captain in 1996 as a 21 year old. 

All Black, Ben Franks was a member of the M.A.C Sports Association rugby team when he was contracted to Hawkes Bay from 2013-2015. Franks played provincial rugby for the Hawkes Bay Magpies, Canterbury, Tasman Mako & for the Canterbury Crusaders in his Super Rugby career. Franks was first selected as an All Black in 2008 & played internationally until 2015. 

M.A.C have also had Pacific Island International representation with Kahn Fotuali'i representing Manu Samoa at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand & later captaining the side. 

Toleafoa Faalemiga Selesele was also a Manu Samoa representative & captained the Samoan IRB Rugby 7's team. Samoan Internationals, Alatasi Tupou, Tom Iosefo & Tila Mealoi also made their name on the IRB 7's circuit with Tupou also captaining the side.

Tupou made his test debut against the All Blacks in 2008 & has the honour of being the first junior rugby world cup representative to be elevated to full test status for his nation. 

Tupou, Iosefo & Selesele are still playing club rugby for MAC in the Hawkes Bay club rugby competition as at 2024, while Tila Mealoi last played for M.A.C in the Marist sevens tournament in Hawkes Bay in November 2019. 

The up & coming generation of M.A.C are also showing real promise with Kianu Kereru-Symes captaining the New Zealand Under 20 side (Baby Blacks) to the Junior Rugby World cup in 2019. A Fully contracted Professional player, Kereru-Symes is a regular for the Hawkes Bay Magpies & has had stints with Super Rugby Franchises, Wellington Hurricanes, Otago Highlanders & currently with the Auckland Blues.

Talented M.A.C First Five eighth, Lincoln McClutchie is another who has masterminded the Hawkes Bay Magpies to Ranfurley Shield victories & successive shield challenges. McClutchie first came in to prominance in the NZ Secondary schools super eight competition & became the major architech, when Hastings Boys High School were crowned New Zealands top secondary school rugby team winning the Top 4 National title in 2017. Kianu Kereru-Symes captained the Hastings team in 2017. 

Api Kakalaia Solomone Funaki as another outstanding product of Pasifika origin, who rose to prominence during the Magpies Ranfurly Shield era. He was an original selection for the newly created Super Rugby franchise, Moana Pasifika in 2022 & Captained the side in 2023. Funaki made his international debut for Ikale Tahi Tongan International team against The All Blacks, 3 July 2021 at Mount Smart Stadium. He also represented Tonga at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France & has also captained his national team.

Another to receive International honours for Ikale Tahi is Paula Latu who made his International debut against Canada 15th August 2023 at Teufaiva Sports Stadium, Nuku Alofa Tonga. Latu also represented Tonga at the Rugby World in France 2023 making one appearance for Ikale Tahi against Romania.

The flying Johnny Ika has been a great servant of M.A.C rugby & was rewarded with an International Debut for Ikale Tahi against Canada on the15th August 2023 at Teufaiva Sports Stadium, Nuku Alofa Tonga. His selection in the Tongan International side, came after a stunning IRB sevens campaign for Tonga which also included a trip to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Ika is a regular in the Tonga IRB Sevens circuit & is clocking up a substantial record as one of the most physical & explosive players on the circuit often scoring at least a try a game. 

Womans Aupiki SUPER RUGBY 

Kahlia Awa burst onto the Womens Aupiki Super rugby scene in 2023, with a debut season with the Wellington Hurricane Poua, after a magic maiden season with the Hawkes Bay Tui in 2022. Kahlia caught the eye of National selectors after a breakout season in 2023 the Tui's Farah Palmer Cup success & was selected to play an International match for the New Zealand Black Ferns XV vs Manusina Samoan womans at Counties Mankau's Navigation Stadium, Saturday 23rd September 2023. Awa has signed with the Auckland Blues franchise for the 2024 Womans Aupiki, Super Rugby Campaign as a full time professional. 

Deniece Aiolupotea was another rewarded with a womens Aupiki Super Rugby contract with the Hurricane Poua, after a sensational 2023 Farah Palmer Cup campaign with the Hawkes Bay Tui with which she Co-Captained the side. When Deniece is not playing professional super rugby, she is driving the ship as the General Manager for Hawkes Bay Netball. 

Tamia Edwards has impressed at Farah Palmer Cup level for the Hawkes Bay Tui since 2021 & has shown her versatility by playing in all 3 back row loose forward positions & Hooker. Tamia received the welcomed news that she would be contracted to the Hurricane Poua Womens Aupiki Super Rugby side for the 2024 Aupiki Campaign. 

Tori Iosefo is a powerful ball carrier with exceptional skill. Iosefo, a prop forward was recognised by the Hurricane Poua scoutting team after a blockbusting Farah Palmer Cup in 2023 resulting in The Canes contracting her for the 2024 Womans Aupiki Super Rugby Campaign.  

OTHER SPORTING CODES AT M.A.C COLLEGE

The M.A.C College boys also enjoyed playing American Football and indoor basketball with equipment received from the United States. Elder Moser was also the coach for these other codes.

EXPERT MARKSMAN

During and after the war, the students took part in military drills every Thursday afternoon and were winners in marksmanship in the Hawes Bay District in 1920.

STATE RECOGNITION

In March 1930 the Minister of Education and Hawes Bay Education Board Officials visited the school and were impressed with what they saw.  After the inspector of Secondary Schools visited in April it became a registered high school and the Maori students were eligible for a Government scholarships amounting to 35pnd a year. Unfortunately it came too late to benefit students and their families. In October of that year, the Church leaders had decided to close the school the following year. 1931. Its decision was based partly on the general policy of the Church at the time to withdraw from education and on the fact that New Zealand had developed a good state education system to benefit all students. Also influencing the decision was the cost of operating the school with such a small attendance. The closing of the school was scheduled to take place after the end of the 1930-1931 school years.


DISASTER STRIKES

However! Before the school year was completed, disaster struck. The 1931 Hawkes Bay Earthquake of February 3 was so severe that the seismograph at the University of Utah recorded the tremor. Most of the students of MAC were on holiday at the time of the earthquake. A handful of missionaries and teachers and a few pacific Island students (who remained at the school during the holidays) fled the buildings as soon as the earthquake hit. From a safe distance they watched as the grounds heaved to and fro, and the building swayed. A message from the mission President John E Magleby, to LDS Church leaders in Salt lake City read “Elders Unhurt, saints quite secure in earthquake area; college buildings standing; worthless; dangerous.

And thus ended the M.A.C College, just as it was reaching its academic plateau.

A NEW START

M.A.C Old Boys’ Association was formed to maintain communications among the pupils and to sustain local missionaries. The association became influential in the request for approval of a new Church run school. Mission President and future member of the quorum of the twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, Matthew Cowley (Tumuaki Cowley) met with members of the M.A.C Old Boys Association including the associations President at the time, James Elkington and a letter went to Church head quarters in Salt lake City, Utah requesting that another church school be established in New Zealand.

In 1948 approval was given to build the Church College of New Zealand. (CCNZ)

Construction began in April 1950, on land in Hamilton in the Waikato, Tuhikaramea. Following the completion of the new school and of more significants to the New Zealand saints was the New Temple which was built nearby were dedicated on April 24, 1958. President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David. O. McKay offered the dedicatory prayer. This dedication occurred 45 years after the opening of the MAC College and 75 years after the Latter-day Saint Church made their first mark in the province of Hawkes Bay.

M.A.C OLD BOYS RFC ESTABLISHED 1934.
The M.A.C OLD BOYS Rugby Football Club was first established in 1934 and registered as an official club under the Hawkes Bay Rugby Football Union by Paratene Teuwi Edwards (AKA Sonny Edwards) a former student at the college. He said that MAC Old Boys RFC was to "Rise from the ashes" of the old college. It didn't take long before M.A.C Old Boys were producing more very talented All Blacks, Maori All Blacks and Hawkes Bay magpie representatives. From the College days M.A.C produced All Blacks, George Nepia, Lui Paewai, Hawea Mataira and Sam Gemmel. New Zealand Maori All Blacks included Eru Te Ngaio and Albert Falwasser, both of which, M.A.C diehards consider being the unluckiest of players not to become fully fledged All Blacks. And then the All Blacks that came from the M.A.C Rugby club days have been Sanatorium (Tori) Reid, Everard Jackson & in more recent times, Taine Randell who captained the All Blacks. Maori All Black & Ben Franks. Hawkes Bay representatives from M.A.C are too numerous to name in this brief history. To view the full list of M.A.C Representatives as All Blacks, NZ Maori All Blacks, Black Ferns, Super Ruby and Hawkes Bay representatives, please go to: Higher Honours Board. Click Here.

M.A.C TODAY

These days the most visual reminder of this historic school is the M.A.C Sports Association which is very active in numerous sporting codes throughout Hawkes Bay. M.A.C Sports association has Rugby, Netball, Rugby league and basketball teams. Recently M.A.C also extended its list of codes to volleyball, winner the Hawkes Bay Volleyball championship in their first season. Playing in the Hawkes Bay premier rugby competition, M.A.C competes every week of the rugby season with junior rugby in the mornings followed by 4 senior teams in the afternoon. M.A.C Blue have won many Hawkes Bay netball championships and have appeared in the finals more times than not in over the last 3 decades. Over 400 registered members of the club and about 2000 associated.



History compiled by Anthony W Morley with additional information supplied by Kia Ngawari Trust. See Higher Honours Board for more information on individual Representative honours.

Click Here.