About Us

Waipaparoa - what does this mean?

In 1847, Governor Grey replaced the centuries old Māori name of Paparoa or Owairoa for the English name of Howick. It was not until 1923 that the Howick Town Board officially adopted the name Howick instead of the names Paparoa and Owairoa. Howick Beach/Waipaparoa means “water of the flat rocks.” Paparoa was later used to name the flat lands of the Meadowlands Valley. 


Our Waipaparoa name therefore refers to the water that runs through the low lying, flat lands of our Meadowlands Valley area. The Ngai Tai treaty settlement in 2015 included renaming Howick Beach to Waipaparoa/Howick Beach.


Waipaparoa is the early Māori name for the general area adjacent to our schools. Throughout history the local estuaries and waterways have been an abundant source of sustenance for the local people. Fish were plentiful, particularly flounder among other species. Seafood gathering played a large part of the health and growth of the area, fishing has always been the focus for kai moana and is still very important in the lives of many local residents today.


The seven coloured triangles represent pātiki (flounder fish) travelling as one and depicts unity of purpose. Together they form the large W, which in turn symbolises the strength of the whai (stingray).

Our Map

Our Vision 

Both as a collective and as individual schools, we are committed to preparing our ākonga (students) as global citizens for success. Drawing on the strengths of our collaboration, in a positive and respectful manner, we will guide our ākonga to realise their individual potential and social responsibility in our complex and rapidly changing world. Ākonga will develop key Ahēitanga that can’t be left to chance in order to become lifelong learners.

Guiding Principles

We acknowledge and embrace: