A touching story from Orewa College highlights student Andy Cooper’s quiet act of manaaki — helping an injured younger student with care and compassion on his way to school.

💛 Manaaki Moment of the Week 🌿

A powerful reminder that small actions can have a big impact.

Orewa College celebrates the values of manaaki — care, respect, and kindness — every day. This week, one student's thoughtful act stood out.

A Quiet Act of Kindness

Andy Cooper, a Year 11 student, noticed a younger student in distress along the estuary path on his way to school.

• The Year 8 student had fallen off his bike and was bleeding.

• Andy stopped immediately to check if he was okay.

• He looked through his school bag for plasters and offered to walk the boy all the way to school and to the nurse.

• He didn’t hesitate, even though it meant arriving late to class.

Merinda, a local resident walking by, also stopped to check on the situation.

"It was so lovely to witness," said Merinda. "Andy spoke with such kindness and compassion — a true representation of manaaki."

In the end, the injured student’s aunt arrived to take him home, and Andy continued on to school. But his compassion didn’t go unnoticed.

Andy’s actions are a beautiful reminder that manaaki is not just a word — it's a way of being.

Ngā mihi nui, Andy — your kindness makes us proud.