Catholic kindergarten bows out Friday: Remuera
A cherished Auckland preschool is closing its doors after teaching Remuera children for 66 years.
St Joseph's of Cluny Kindergarten guides learners for the last time on Friday out of concern for the growing frailty of the Sisters who manage the institution.
Head teacher of 15 years Julie McClay said the Sisters of St Joseph Trust Board were aging and did not have any younger Sisters coming through to take the reigns.
"They're 80 plus so they can just relax and not have any financial worries down the track, " McClay said.
The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, a religious order founded in France, opened the kindergarten in 1954 to better serve their local congregation with early childhood education.
Among the first day pupils were the Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Patrick Dunn.
The initiative was so successful it led to the launch in 1960 of Cluny School, for primary students, which ran until 1981.
McClay describes the Sisters as "the unsung heroes."
They welcomed students with special needs and never turned away families who could not afford to pay their fees, she said.
"Whatever the need was we said, 'yes' and I think that's what we were about."
McClay said that over the years, she often heard primary school teachers remarking they could recognise the kindergarten's former students.
"I think it's (because of) the value system."
The children were given high expectations- and rose to them, she said.
"It was always done in a nurturing, loving environment at the pace of the child."
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Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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