West Auckland -- 'Very scary' - four schools in lockdown, kids cower under desks large police presence in area
Rutherford College in West Auckland has been placed in lockdown, with students told to stay indoors and armed police in the area.
Photos have been posted photos online of students huddling under desks with the classroom’s curtains closed.
A parent told the Herald she has been waiting for her daughter who studies at Rutherford Primary but “it seems like something is happening at the college”.
Armed police and patrol vehicles are stationed outside Rutherford College. Parents are not being allowed inside and have been told to wait outside.
One parent at the scene said they received a text message at 11.53am about the school going into lockdown.
”You hear about these things happening in the States not here,” she told the Herald.
“I just am very anxious. There was a threat of someone coming down and shooting. A threatening phone call.”
A message on Rutherford College’s website confirmed it is in lockdown “due to an incident”.
“We will continue to provide updates on our website as often as possible. Please do not come to the school or phone the school as you will not be attended to and this may cause disruption to the management of this incident and could potentially place yourselves and/or our staff and student’s safety at risk,” the message says
“We will update this website when the lock down has been completed. Thank you.”
Locals are reporting armed police at the school and say police with rifles were setting up near the Z petrol station.
Parents on social media say their children had texted them to say the school was in lockdown.
Another Te Atatu primary school, Matipo Primary, has also gone into lockdown due to the unfolding situation.
On its Facebook page the school says all its gates and entrances are locked and children are in their classrooms.
Parents are asked to not call the school office to keep the lines of communication free for the police and education officials.
Earlier lockdown at Manurewa high school
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Alfriston College in Manurewa was also placed in lockdown for about 30 minutes earlier this morning.
Police said there was a report of a person with a gun in the wider Randwick Park area but that had not been substantiated.
The school was now out of lockdown and operating as normal.
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Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
The Influence of the Whānau - Day 9
In a small Māori pā (village) nestled beside a flowing river, a young boy named Rangi lived with his whānau. Rangi was curious and adventurous, always exploring the ngahere (forest) and listening to the stories of his kaumātua (elders). The kaumātua would often remind him, “He waka eke noa”—we are all in this together, and our actions affect the collective.
Rangi's best friend, Manu, was a clever boy but sometimes made poor choices. Manu had recently begun spending time with a group of older boys from another pā who were known for their reckless behavior. They would waste kai (food), leave rubbish in the ngahere, and even disturb the sacred awa (river) by throwing stones at eels.
One day, Manu invited Rangi to join the group, saying, “Come on, Rangi! They’re fun, and they won’t hurt anyone. We’re just having a good time!” Unsure, Rangi agreed, feeling pressure to fit in.
The group’s leader, Matiu, proposed a game: they would sneak into the kaumātua's kumara patch at night and take some for a "feast." Rangi hesitated. He remembered the kaumātua saying how much work went into growing the kumara, with karakia (prayers) and care for the soil. But he stayed silent, feeling outnumbered.
That night, the group raided the garden. As they laughed and ate the stolen kumara by the fire, Rangi felt uneasy. He realized that this was not who he wanted to be. When he saw Manu’s joy in impressing Matiu, Rangi felt torn but remained quiet.
The next morning, the kaumātua discovered the missing kumara and the trampled garden. They called the entire pā together, expressing sadness, not anger. “Our ancestors teach us that the whenua (land) provides for all of us, but only if we treat it with respect,” said one elder. “When we harm the whenua, we harm ourselves.”
Rangi’s heart sank. That evening, he confessed to the kaumātua and his whānau, explaining everything. To his surprise, they did not scold him harshly. Instead, they said, “He tangata tītoki, he tangata rākau—a person is like a tree; they grow straight when supported by others. You must choose companions who uphold the values of your whānau and whenua.”
Rangi decided to distance himself from Manu’s new group and instead spent time with those who respected the land and upheld the teachings of their ancestors. Over time, he encouraged Manu to rejoin him, and together they worked to rebuild the kumara patch, learning from the kaumātua.
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Moral
This story highlights the importance of right company and like-mindedness. It shows that no one is inherently bad, but the influence of others and the situations we choose can lead us astray. Surrounding ourselves with those who uphold values like respect, care, and collective well-being ensures a life of balance and harmony.
Ka mua, ka muri — by learning from the past, we can walk into the future.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.8% Second half of November
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43.7% 1st December
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17.6% A week before Christmas
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32.8% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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