James Cook High School renamed as Te Haikura Ā Kiwa

Tides have turned for a Manurewa high school with nearly 60 years of carrying a colonial name.

James Cook High School has been renamed Te Haikura Ā Kiwa.

The announcement was made through an audio recording of student leaders, accompanied by a written statement endorsed by Tina Filipo, the Tumuaki (Principal), on the school’s website.

Siesia Malungahu, the School Board student representative, says the push for change has predominantly been a student-led initiative.

“Around seven years ago and every year since then, my peers have been asking the board to consider a new name. One that would reflect our identity today while honouring our past.”

The statement notes that the school is embarking on a “new path, one full of opportunity, growth, and promise for all”.

Under the guidance of mana whenua and local iwi - Ngāti Tamaoho, Tiakitai, Ngāti Te Ata, and Te Kawerau ā Maki, a name was gifted to the kura that best represents the evolving times and growing communities.

Te Haikura ā Kiwa translates to Kiwa High School, where ‘haikura’ literally means ‘high school’ and ‘Kiwa’ is the great protector and navigator of the Pacific Ocean, also known as Te Moana Nui Ā Kiwa.

“A name was chosen that speaks to who we are and where we’re going,” Filipo says.

“There is a deeper meaning for ourselves and our community when we use our name in te reo Māori. Kiwa is the guardian of the Pacific Ocean and symbolises protection, guidance, and the spirit of voyaging.”

Kiwa is not only a significant figure in Pacific and Māori history, but also represents the journey many have taken to arrive in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Each part of the name contributes to the school’s wider vision:

• Hai - Future focus, aspiration

• Kura - School, learning, unity

• Ā - Connection to each other and the wider world

• Kiwa - Guardian of the Pacific, symbol of protection and guidance

A dawn Matariki ceremony held at the kura this week welcomed the new name, Te Haikura Ā Kiwa.

The uniform and the name “James Cook High School” will remain in use until the end of 2026. Uniform changes will officially happen in 2027 for Years 9 and 11, along with all new enrollments.

A new logo and uniform are set to be revealed during Matariki next year, after consultations with the school’s community.

During the last two terms of 2025, the kura invites community feedback and hopes to establish a small committee to help steer the direction of the incoming changes. Whānau can have their say here.

Partially completed buildings at James Cook High School, Dr Pickering Avenue, Manurewa. It was the suburb's second high school. Opened in February 1968, with the official opening ceremony held on 19 July 1969. Photo/Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 895-A84951

A journey ahead together

A spontaneous decision in 2011 set Malungahu on the path to governance, a choice she describes providing her with a “unique opportunity” to see the value of youth perspectives.

These contributions are a high priority for the school, which hopes the new name encourages students to be grounded in their identity, values, and purpose.

One male student leader’s voice can be heard in the recording, discussing school pride and success.

“Our school has always been the heart beat of our community. Students, teachers, and whānau have journeyed through this kura to accomplish great things. We have grown amazing people, who are serving our communities here and around the world.”

While the change may feel significant for some, the student leaders and Tumuaki emphasise that the school’s core values of Manaaki - Care, Atawhai - Contribution, Nanaiore - Strive, and Ako - Learn will remain.

“We will ensure that the heartbeat of all who journeyed through this kura will be kept alive. The name may be new, but the spirit of James Cook High School lives on,” various students express in the recording.

“We are proud to become Kiwa. Different name. Same values. Stronger future,” the students conclude, joined by Filipo, who adds, “Let’s navigate this exciting future together.”

Who has naming rights: Kiwa or Cook?

In Māori mythology, localised to tribes on the East Coast of the North Island, Kiwa is one of several male ocean guardians, an important ancestor who gave his name to the bay Tūranganui Ā Kiwa.

Some centuries later, in 1769, an expedition of the HMS Endeavour from Britain, led by Lieutenant James Cook, encountered a series of cultural misunderstandings that resulted in the deaths of about nine local Māori.

Of the 609 submission received by the New Zealand Geographic Board/Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, 155 clearly supported the dual name. 141 supported the existing name Poverty Bay and 143 supported Tūranganui-a-Kiwa.

Cook, who was accompanied by Tahitian high chief Tupaia, held three Māori on board the ship. After six days of failed negotiations, the Endeavour left the bay with unresolved tensions and without fresh water, wood, food, and supplies; hence, Cook named the area ‘Poverty Bay’.

In 2013, Kāiti School students in Gisborne, upset that Cook had renamed an already-named place, gathered over 2500 signatures, marched, and met local councillors to restore ‘Tūranganui-a-Kiwa’.

With a little over 600 public submissions, the Gisborne District Council applied to the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) in 2018 for a dual name for the area.

On 12 January 2019, the Minister of Land Information finalised the official dual name of Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa/Poverty Bay.