Knighthood for Lindisfarne Old Boy Sir Joe Williams

Mr Hakeney along with students and other members of staff were lucky enough to attend the special investiture ceremony held at Manaia Marae on the Coromandal Peninsula.

'It was a genuine privilege to represent Lindisfarne along with 9 of our students and a number of staff at Sir Joe’s investiture. He was so generous with his time for our boys on multiple occasions, given the fact that hundreds of people were hoping to get just a few seconds with him on his big day. I was standing with our Kuamatua, Mr Pere Maitai, when Sir Joe was officially knighted on stage by the Governor General and it was a very emotional time.

To see one of our successful old boys being acknowledged for what he has achieved in his field and on behalf of his people made us all very proud. Sir Joe, on his own Marae, deflected all the glory onto those who had supported him throughout his life, and it was clear that Lindisfarne played a pivotal role in his formative years. Our boys joined in with local iwi to perform the haka in recognition of Sir Joe’s achievements and it was certainly a symbolic moment for everyone.

We all left feeling that we’d been part of something very special. I invited Sir Joe back to the college so we can pay our own tribute to him, and so we look forward to welcoming him back to Lindisfarne later in the year' - Mr Stuart Hakeney, Rector.