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Pakuranga College History
Pakuranga College Beginnings
After World War II Auckland's eastern suburbs grew rapidly and until 1959 were served by Howick District High School (HDHS), founded in 1937 under the control of the Auckland Education Board. HDHS outgrew its campus in the 1950s and in June 1955 the Government approved the establishment of a new post-primary school using plans prepared by the Auckland Education Board. HDHS would eventually reopen as Howick Intermediate in 1965.
A site of approximately 20 acres was acquired for the new school, three-quarters of a mile from HDHS. In November 1957 a tender from T J Farmer Ltd for the sum of 125,515 pounds 1 shilling and 9 pence was accepted for the erection of 17 teaching units, which included an assembly hall and administration facilities.
Opening Pakuranga College
The new school was established on 1 February 1960 but because the buildings were not ready for occupation the new school commenced in the old HDHS buildings. Transfer to the new site was made at the beginning of Term 2 in May 1961, when control was handed to the Pakuranga College Board and then to the Eastern Secondary Schools Board.
The official opening was held on Saturday 7 October 1961 by Minister of Education, the Hon. W Blair Tennent. The foundation principal was Mr K W Rae MA, and he had a teaching staff of 18. The roll was 428 on 1 March 1961, housed in 16 permanent and three prefabricated classrooms.
Expanding Facilities
- 1974 Completion of Gymnasium
- 1975 New Music/Drama Block
- 1998 Pamela Stone English Block opened
- 1999 New Library opened
- 2001 New Administration buildings completed
- 2003 Jill Sweeney Science Block opened
- 2016 Re-modelling of Visual Arts building
- 2016 Completion of new double Gymnasium
- 2021 Completion of the Haque Building
Past Principals
Michael Williams
2009 - 2023
Heather McRae
2008 - 2009
Bali Haque
2003 - 2006
Stanley Seagar
1978 - 1986
Earnest Rive
1967 - 1977
Kenneth Rae
1960 - 1967
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