Every student will belong to one of four new Houses.
We have exciting news to share with our community. At today’s full school assembly, students were introduced to our new OHS House system, which will begin in 2027. Every student will belong to one of four Houses: Te Punga, Paerangi, Whenua or Mānukanuka. The Houses will become an important part of school life, creating new opportunities for House events, competition, leadership and participation. The House system is designed to strengthen connection and belonging across Onehunga High School. It will bring students from different year levels together, create opportunities to contribute to their House and build greater participation and school spirit. Over time, each House will develop its own identity, traditions and sense of pride.
The return of Houses also reconnects OHS with an important part of our history. From 1959 to 1979, students belonged to Red House or Green House. Almost 50 years later, Houses are returning with names and identities that are distinctly Onehunga High School. The names of our four new Houses originate from our school emblem and the story it represents. The stars, waka, land and water depicted in the emblem provide the foundation for the four House identities, connecting this new chapter of school life with a symbol that has represented OHS for generations.
At today’s assembly, Matua Harley Watene explained the significance of the House names to students and the meaning behind each one.Te Punga, our yellow House, has the motto Guided by the stars. It represents the Southern Cross and the anchor of the celestial waka, symbolising guidance, leadership, direction and remaining steadfast when conditions change. Paerangi, our orange House, has the motto Beyond the horizon. Representing the meeting place of earth and sky, it encourages students to look forward with aspiration and vision towards what is possible. Whenua, our green House, has the motto Standing strong. It represents the land that supports us and gives the waka a place to begin and return to. Whenua represents identity, belonging, strength, stewardship and the strong foundations upon which we grow. Mānukanuka, our blue House, has the motto Our harbour, our home. Drawn from Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa, it represents the waters of the Manukau Harbour and our connection to the community and place that grounds us.
Together, the four Houses tell a story that is closely connected to Onehunga High School. They represent being guided by knowledge, looking towards the future, standing strongly in who we are and remaining connected to our place and community. From 2027, students will represent their Houses through events and activities across the school. We are excited to bring Houses back to Onehunga High School and begin a new chapter that connects our history and identity with the future of OHS.
