In the very beginning...

Oteha Valley was shrouded in dense native bush. An impressive waterfall marked the upper reaches of the tidal Kaipātiki (Lucas Creek), which meandered through the misty gully. Ika pupuhi (flounder), Tuna (eel) and kōura (freshwater crayfish) were in abundance and at one time a small Ngāti Whātua Māori pa stood on the northern bank.

Native birds like kererū, pīwakawaka and tūī sang from the majestic kauri, rimu and tōtara treetops while insects such as weta and huhu beetles scuttled amongst the thick manuka, bracken and punga undergrowth.

Rangitoto, our maunga, stood proudly in the Waitematā and could be seen from the pōhutukawa covered coastline nearby. 

 

E mohio ana matou ki nga tohu tuku iho me nga tohu wairua o Oteha i te timatanga. 

 

We recognise the ancestral and spiritual landmarks of Oteha as it was in the beginning.

 

As time went on the Oteha/Albany region was slowly cleared for farms and although still sparsely populated with large areas of bush, became well known for strawberry farms and apple orchards. Oteha Valley Road was, at this time, still a gravel road.

As the North Shore became more and more populated Albany changed into the busy business, retail, and residential hub it is today.

Oteha Valley School was opened in 2004. Our school community has changed a lot since then.  We are now a diverse community and embrace many different cultures.

It is important to us to share our identity and history.  

 

Our Motto

One of meanings we found for Oteha was ‘breath of life’ therefore our motto became ‘Breathing Life into Learning’

Hahatia Te Ora ki nga Akoranga

Breathing Life into Learning

 

 

Our Logo

The maroon arch comes from the North Harbour Stadium which was the only landmark in proximity in the days when our school was first built and where we started and spent the first 3 weeks as our buildings were not ready on day 1.  The koru represents our Māori heritage in the name Oteha.