Passadenda - Waitītiko
Passadenda - Waitītiko
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Waitītiko Stream 1985
Waitītiko Stream 1985
Pasadena Intermediate has been part of the community since the mid-20th century, originally established to meet the needs of a growing student population in Point Chevalier and the surrounding suburbs. It took over from Point Chevalier School as the area expanded.
The school is closely connected to the local environment, especially Meola Creek, known by its Māori name, Waitītiko, which refers to the periwinkles that once lived there.
Ref: Photos sourced from https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/379987-Austrolittorina-antipodum
This connection is reflected in the school’s identity, which includes the tuna (eels) from the stream as a symbol of its shared vision. Pasadena has also partnered with Western Springs College / Ngā Puna o Waiōrea on restoration projects to help care for the creek and its ecosystem.
Photographs sourced from Roy Clements, 1985
Two beautiful Kahikatea doing well at entrance to Waitītiko
Two beautiful Kahikatea doing well at entrance to Waitītiko
The Story of Pasadena Intermediate
Imagine it’s October 3, 1942. The sun is shining, the crowd is buzzing with excitement, and Pasadena Avenue is packed with people ready to see something brand new — Pasadena Intermediate School!
The big moment finally arrives when Mr. H. Mason, the Minister of Education, and Mr. J. Lee, the local Member of Parliament, officially open the school. Choirs from the community sing proudly, and everyone claps and cheers. It’s a day to remember!
After the speeches, the crowd gets to explore the brand-new buildings. At the time, Pasadena was one of the most modern schools around. There were 12 shiny classrooms filled with kauri tables and chairs, an administration block with common rooms, a library, and even a visual film room — a pretty big deal back then! The domestic science room (like a cooking and home skills room) had all the latest gadgets of the time — including a washing machine and electric stoves, which were super high-tech in the 1940s.
The school sat on 6 acres of land, with its entrance on Pasadena Avenue, and it was ready to welcome up to 520 students. Kids came from nearby primary schools like Point Chevalier, Gladstone, Westmere, and Grey Lynn, all eager to be part of something new.
It was the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the community — and for generations of Pasadena students to come! Les Mills who would become the Mayor of Auckland was one of those very students!
Official opening 3 October, 1942
Meola Reef (Te Tokaroa) is a big stretch of rock made from lava that came out of a volcano called Mt. St. John more than 28,000 years ago! It’s the longest lava flow in all of Auckland. Its Māori name, Te Tokaroa, means “the long rock.”
The reef is about 11 kilometers long and reaches into the Waitematā Harbour. Today, part of it is covered by the sea when the tide comes in, and it’s a special protected area. A long time ago, some parts of it were also used as a landfill.
Māori legend: Long ago, it’s said that a group of magical fairy people called patupaiarehe tried to build a stone bridge across the harbour. But they didn’t finish in time—when the sun came up, they had to stop, and the unfinished bridge became Meola Reef!
Beneath the Lava, the River:
Beneath the Lava, the River:
Sourced from Meola Reef Reserve Te tokaroa Development Plan
History of the name
History of the name
Meola Creek was named by settler Allan Taylor, possibly after Meola Glacier (or Athasi-Balati Glacier) near where he was born in Seringapatam, India, in 1832.
Ref: Sourced from St Lukes Environmental Protection Society Protecting Meola Creek's environs since 2005.
Chamberlain Park is on the south side of the Northwestern Motorway in Mt Albert, Auckland. Meola Creek (Waitītiko) flows through the western part of the park, linking it to places like Western Springs and Meola Reef Reserve. The park includes the public Chamberlain Park Golf Course and the Meola Creek wetlands, which are also being restored. The map below shows a spring discharge (marked “ME” and mentioned at the top of near where the wetland restoration is planned.
Ref: Sourced from https://www.meolacreek.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/extract2.png
How can you help?
How can you help?
Further Resources
Further Resources
We want our Urban Ark to be the Manawa Taiao – the heart of the environment. We work around the maunga of Maungawhau and Ōwairaka to care for protect these important taonga. Along the awa and scattered patches of te ngahere (forest) we seek to create biodiversity corridors to encourage our native species to spread and thrive.
They're a small team of people supporting the wider native biodiversity efforts across the inner-west of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. If you’re looking to get involved with your local trapping, weeding, planting or advocacy group then find your group here. If you want to get in touch with us, try:
https://www.meolacreek.org.nz/category/meola-creek/page/2/
https://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2013/10/meola-creek.html
Pasadena Intermediate 50th Golden Jubilee document, 1992.
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