ISKCON Auckland

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. 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.

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’.

Integration Agreement

The School’s Special Character shall incorporate the education with a Special Character as provided in the school. The school shall at all times be conducted and operated so as to maintain and preserve the school’s Special Character, the essential elements of which are:

  1. 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.
  2. Insistence upon high standards of behaviour and development of personal character through nurture of saintly qualities in each individual.
  3. 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.
  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 and differentiation from the Supreme Lord.
  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.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Expectations for All Members

It is not obligatory for all members of the Hare Krishna School’s parent and student community to strictly adhere to these principles. Nevertheless, the following are expected of all community members:

  • Embrace and honour the philosophy and practices 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 Schools

State integrated schools are State schools operating in partnership with privately owned Proprietor boards, existing to provide education with a special character as defined under the Education and Training Act 2020 (ETA). 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.

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.

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 are used for servicing and repaying loans to develop building projects, building insurance and compliance costs. Attendance Dues are not a donation, and they are not tax-deductible.

Special Character Contribution (SCC)

Special Character Contribution is a voluntary contribution that provides the main source of funding 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 — a 33% refund can be claimed from the IRD.

Capital Works Contribution (CWC)

Capital Works is a voluntary contribution collected 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 — a 33% refund can be claimed from the IRD.

For more information about current Attendance Dues and Contributions, please contact the school office: admin@harekrishna.school.nz