Otahuhu College

State co-ed secondary (year 9–13) school

36°57′11″S 174°50′25″E / 36.9531°S 174.8404°E / -36.9531; 174.8404InformationTypeState Co-Ed Secondary (Year 9–13)MottoKia TamataneEstablished1931Ministry of Education Institution no.88PrincipalNeil WatsonSchool roll1,038^[1] (February 2024)Socio-economic decile1B^[2]Websiteotahuhucollege.school.nz

Otahuhu College is a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand for students years 9 to 13.

Location

It is located in the suburb of Ōtāhuhu and is a co-educational school. The main campus entrance is on Mangere Road, the Memorial Field sports complex is at a separate venue also on Mangere Road. In 2021 the school celebrated its 90th year, having opened in 1931.^[3] In 1931 the school was called Otahuhu Junior High School. In 1933 courses were extended to include senior levels of study and school was called Otahuhu Technical High School. In 1947 the school became Otahuhu College.^[4]

Structure

Otahuhu College is divided into four houses:

Otahuhu College's House Names & their Colours
	Seddon	Named for New Zealand Prime Minister Richard Seddon.
	Massey	Named for New Zealand Prime Minister William Massey
	Hobson	Named for New Zealand Governor William Hobson
	Grey	Named for New Zealand Governor Sir George Grey

Each house is controlled by a House Leader, and each house has a Head Boy, Head Girl and a Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy.

At the end of 2006 Otahuhu College A-Block building was earthquake strengthened. The Sturges Field sports facilities were refurbished after 2007. In 2016 the Science Block was opened.^[5]

Demographics

At the March 2019 Education Review Office (ERO) review of the school, Otahuhu College had 895 students enrolled. There was an even split of male and female students. The prioritised ethnic composition was 33% Samoan, 23% Tongan, 13% Indian, 12% Māori, 9% Cook Islands Maori, and 10% other ethnic groups.^[6]

Notable alumni

Academia

Ron Crocombe, Emeritus Professor at the University of the South Pacific

Public service

Sir James Belich (1927–2015), former Mayor of Wellington^[7]
Sir Barry Curtis, longest-serving mayor in New Zealand^[8]
Rt Hon. David Lange, former Prime Minister of New Zealand^[9]
Shaneel Lal, former Youth MP and founder of End Conversion Therapy New Zealand^[10]

Sports

Orene Ai'i, rugby union player
Olsen Filipaina, rugby league player
Graham Gedye, cricketer
Mark Hunt, mixed martial arts fighter
Ali Lauiti'iti, rugby league player
Brett Leaver, field hockey player
Tupou Neiufi, paralympian swimmer^[11]
David Tua, boxer^[12]
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, rugby league player
Cooper Vuna, rugby league and rugby union player^[13]
Waka Nathan, rugby union player^[14]

References

^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ "Distinguished Old Students".
^ "About Otahuhu College".
^ "Otahuhu College's new Science Block | Envivo Ltd". Archived from the original on 5 February 2017.
^ "Otahuhu College | Education Review Office". ero.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
^ Michael Forbes (15 September 2015). "Former Wellington mayor Sir James Belich dies at age 88". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ Matt Bowen (16 November 2010). "Schooled in the way of world". Manukau Courier. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ "David Lange dies at 63". The Age. 14 August 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ Lal, Shaneel (6 September 2021). "It is time for New Zealand to end gay conversion practices | Shaneel Lal". the Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
^ "Disability Doesn't Stop Auckland Paralympian in Swimming or Life". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ "Boxing: David Tua - Fistfuls of faith". The New Zealand Herald. NZME. 27 October 2000. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ Chris Barclay (13 August 2010). "Cooper Vuna relishing rebellious move". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
^ "Waka Nathan made life member".