International Society for Krishna Consciousness Auckland

The Proprietor of the Hare Krishna School

Guardians of our School’s Special Character

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Auckland holds proprietorship of the Hare Krishna School, thereby ensuring the preservation of its Special Character. This responsibility entails safeguarding the essence of the school’s spiritual ethos. ISKCON Auckland not only possesses ownership of the school’s land and buildings but also assumes the duty of enhancing and maintaining the school’s facilities, encompassing both its physical and land-related aspects.

The Special Character of the Hare Krishna School is delineated within the school’s integration agreement, further expounded upon in our ‘Statement of Faith’ and ‘Expectations for all community members’. These documents articulate the fundamental beliefs and standards upheld by every member of our school community, as detailed below. The Hare Krishna School’s state integration agreement is held between The Crown and The Proprietor.

Integration Agreement

The School’s Special Character as is hereafter described, shall incorporate the education with a Special Character as provided in the school AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND DECLARED that the school shall at all times in the future be conducted and operated so as to maintain and preserve the school’s Special Character and these presents shall be interpreted so as to maintain and preserve the Special Character of the school the essential elements of which are:

(a) Inculcation of a high moral code with a strong religious base following the Vedic culture of ancient India and stressing the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness as central to personal fulfilment through service to God. 

(b) Insistence upon high standards of behaviour and development of personal character through nurture of saintly qualities in each individual. 

(c) Encouragement of parental support through exemplary behaviour and observance of Krishna principles in the home. 

Statement of Faith

Hare Krishna School embraces the Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy, a legacy passed down by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 – 1534) and presented to the world by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. This philosophy is taught in the Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, and forms the basis of our Śāstra curriculum. The teachings are summarised in the following ten points:

  1. The Vedas serve as the principal scriptural source for uncovering Truth, and at their core, they expound the following nine principles:
  2. Hari (Krishna) stands as the Supreme Absolute Truth.
  3. He possesses all energies, both material and spiritual.
  4. He is the reservoir of rasa, the essence of transcendental relationships.
  5. The living entities (jīvas) represent His separated parts.
  6. Due to their minuteness, these living entities can potentially become ensnared by the material energy.
  7. In their liberated state, these living entities transcend the influence of material nature.
  8. Everything exists in an inconceivable union with (abheda) and differentiation from (bheda) the Supreme Lord, Sri Hari.
  9. Pure devotional service (bhakti) constitutes the highest duty (dharma) for all living beings.
  10. Pure love for Krishna (prema) marks the ultimate life goal.

The practical application of this philosophy is manifested through the practice of devotional service, primarily the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The cultivation of devotional service is reinforced by upholding high standards of personal conduct and character development, which involves embracing four essential religious principles: Satyaṁ (truthfulness), Dayā (compassion), Tapaḥ (self-control), and Śaucaṁ (cleanliness). Achieving this involves following regulative principles of refraining from eating meat, extramarital sexual relations, intoxicants, and gambling. 

Expectations for all members within our school community

It is not obligatory for all members of the Hare Krishna School’s parent and student community to strictly adhere to these principles. Nevertheless, these principles are upheld and practised by all devoted members of ISKCON Auckland.

  • Embrace and honour the philosophy and practices as outlined above and imparted in our school.
  • Strive to personally grasp the philosophy and teachings by engaging with the works of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda.
  • Participate in, and actively engage with, our cultural and spiritual festivals.
  • Extend support to the school during special events and partake in school programs.
  • Maintain a diet free from meat, fish, eggs, or related by-products while within the school environment.

The Role of the Proprietor in State Integrated School

What is a State Integrated School?

State integrated schools are State schools operating in partnership with privately owned Proprietor boards. State-integrated schools exist to provide education with a special character. This is defined under the Education and Training Act 2020 (ETA) as a framework of education with general religious or philosophical beliefs and associated with observances or traditions relating to those beliefs. The education at each state integrated school will reflect its own values within the context of its specific philosophy or religion. Attendance dues may be payable for attending State integrated schools.

State integrated schools exist to provide education within the framework of a particular or general religious or philosophical belief, and associated with observances or traditions relating to that belief. The particular religious or philosophical framework for each State integrated school is described in the Integration Agreement for that school. The proprietor of a state-integrated school has the responsibility to supervise the maintenance and preservation of the education with a special character provided by the school.

In addition to the general rules that govern all State schools, the main legal requirements that apply to State integrated schools in New Zealand are set out in Schedule 6 of the ETA.

How is the school funded as a state-integrated school? 

The Government funds the school for everything except for Special Character programmes and resources, land and buildings. The proprietor can gather money ( attendance dues – compulsory) to pay for land and buildings and, in addition to these, may ask for additional contributions to fund Special Character programmes and capital works as need be, both of which are tax deductible. This is further outlined below. 

Attendance Dues and Contributions

As part of being a member of the Hare Krishna School Community, there is a financial commitment required from families to ensure the provision of an excellent spiritual and material education in a well-cared for environment. 

Hare Krishna School Board acts as the collecting body for Attendance Dues and Contributions on behalf of the school’s Proprietor, International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc. (ISKCON Auckland).

Attendance Dues

Attendance Dues are a compulsory payment under the terms of the Education and Training Act 2020, as a condition for enrolment at Hare Krishna School. These dues apply to all students who attend the Hare Krishna School.

Under the Act, Attendance Dues are used for servicing and repaying any loans to develop new building projects in the proprietors’ schools as well as paying for building insurance and compliance costs, collection, and administration.

Attendance Dues are not a donation, and they are not tax-deductible.

Special Character Contribution (SCC)

Special Character Contribution is a voluntary contribution. It provides the main source of funding to provide staff and services, on behalf of the Proprietor, for safeguarding and strengthening the Hare Krishna special character of our school. No contributions are made by the Government for these services.

 

This contribution is tax deductible, and a 33% refund can be claimed from the IRD.

Capital Works Contribution (CWC)

Capital Works is a voluntary contribution. It is collected on behalf of the Proprietor for future development and capital works at the Hare Krishna School (e.g. new classrooms or upgrading of existing facilities).

This contribution is tax deductible and a 33% refund can be claimed from the IRD.

2024 Attendance Dues and Contributions

Attendance Dues and Contributions can be paid in full at the beginning of the school year or per term, in advance. Contributions per student are:

 

Primary Students Secondary Students
Attendance Dues (per term) $93.75  $93.75 
Special Character Contribution (per term) $30  $30 
Capital Works Contribution

(per term)

 $100  $100 
Total per term $223.75 $223.75
Total for the year $895 $895
Annual Portion Tax Deductible $520 $520

 

New Families – Contributions upon enrolment

As new families join the Hare Krishna School community they are asked to make two one off contributions:

  • Special Character Donation: $200
  • Capital Contribution to Proprietor School Development Fund:$500

Payment Options:

You can make cash or EFTPOS transactions at the school office.

You can set up an automatic payment or make one off payments via internet banking to: 

 

Hare Krishna School

12-3085-0342272-00