Wharenui Kura-ki-Uta

Our Wharenui Kura-ki-Uta is the heart of the College and sits proudly at the front of the school. It reopened in 2016 after a fire destroyed the original whare. Thankfully the original carvings at the front were able to be restored. Inside new kowhaiwhai panels designed and painted by the tauira take pride of place.

The iwi of Ōpōtiki are Te Whakatōhea and it is this kawa that the marae follows. The iwi comprises six hapu: Ngāi Tamahaua, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Ngahere, Ngāti Patumoana, Ngāti Ruatakena and Ūpokorehe. The majority of the tauira at the College whakapapa to Te Whakatohea.

The iwi is traditionally centred in the area around the town of Ōpōtiki. The traditional territorial lands extend eastwards from Ōhiwa Harbour to Opape along the coastline, and inland to Matawai. Most of the marae of the iwi are located near the coast and the College has strong links to all of them.

Ngāi Tai, Tūhoe and Te Whānau-a-Apanui iwi also have relationships with the College and tauira also whakapapa to these iwi.