Br David McDonald has been installed as the new Provincial of the Marist Brothers New Zealand.
In a moving ceremony at Sacred Heart College, pupils of Hato Petera College and members of his tribe, the Ngati Hinerangi, “handed over” Br David, who has been principal of Hato Petera College in Auckland since 1997.
Br David is the first Maori to hold the position of Provincial of the brothers in New Zealand, a province which includes Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa.
The ceremony involved speeches, songs, haka and the exchange of precious taonga. Br Carl Tapp handed on the greenstone pendant that he had worn in his term as provincial.
Women of the tribe dressed Br David in a korowai cloak.
The Superior General of the congregation, Br Emili Turú Rofes, installed Br David as Provincial and spoke of the confidence that the brothers had in his leadership and ability.
Fr John Allardyce, soon to be chaplain at the Marist Brothers’ renewal programme in Rome, and Fr Merv Duffy represented the Marist Fathers at the occasion.
A celebratory meal followed.