house EMBLEMS

The quarterings from the College Shield are the house emblems which are derived from the Maori migration canoes.
The houses help to promote school unity and participation.

 TE TOKI A TAPIRI
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Te Toki a Tapiri is named after one of the last remaining traditional waka taua (war canoe) which was built in Wairoa by Chief Waaka Tarakau in 1836. The name translates to "the adze of Tapiri", hence the symbol for this house is a greenstone adze. ​This house colour is orange.

NGĀ TAIAHA E RUA
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(formerly known as Tokomaru)The symbol for Ngā Taiaha house comes from the Tokomaru canoe. Ngā Taiaha e Rua were fighting weapons. This house colour is gold.

PATU POUNAMU

(formerly known as Arawa) The symbol for Patu Pounamu is the patu - a small club. This house colour is green which symbolises the pounamu the patu was made from. This was a prized hand weapon which was used mainly by the chief for ceremonial occasions.

MANU KOROTANGI

(formerly known as Tainui)
​The symbol for Manu house comes from the weeping dove. This sacred bird was carried to New Zealand on the Tainui Canoe. This house colour is black.