Waiau Pa School

The early pioneers of the Waiau Pa district believed that a building should be provided for their children's education by the late 1880s, by which time some farming had spread over the undeveloped terrain. The settlers wrote to the Auckland Education Board on February 7, 1889, proposing to construct a school and hire teachers in exchange for support in the form of a capitation grant. The Waiau Pa School was formally launched on October 7, 1890, with 10 students enrolled. Miss Brown was the first teacher appointed. After ten years, the structure was found to be insufficient, and education was moved to a more convenient location.

The Education Board purchased a 5-acre plot of land on Waiau Pa - Kingseat Road in 1901. For £132, they built a larger classroom measuring 7.6 x 4.2 meters and a porch, which was completed in April of the same year. Sadly, not every resident could accommodate this arrangement, therefore some kids had to be transported to Pollok School across the Waiau Pa tidal estuary. But for those who did show up, tracks had to be cut through the jungle in some cases, and they came from as far away as Kingseat. The only ways to get about were on foot or by horseback. At this center, the district hosted social events and church services.