In 2022 the school requested five new house names from Ngaati Tamaoho as mana whenua that have relevance to the Pukekohe area and its history.
Ngaa Pou Raakau oo Pukekohekohe
The area of the school was once part of a great forest that covered much of Pukekohe.
Visitors to the area in the early 1850s described it as being ‘a great forest, dotted with their many ancient homes and cultivations’.
Our Houses are named after some of the main trees of this forest were said to be:
- Puuriri
- Tiitoki
- Maahoe
- Mataii
- Maanuka
The explanation for these names was that each of these raakau are unique with their own strengths. They also work together to support each other and the overall health of the ngahere. Similarly, the 5 houses of Pukekohe High School are unique but also come together to support each other as part of the wider school.
Each raakau has its own special significance and its hoped that the students of each house will research and learn about the unique uses and properties of their house raakau.
He maumahara au ki ngaa raakau oo te whare oo Taane. Mai eenei raakau ka hanga au te maahau oo tooku nei whare. Koo ngaa Poupoo, he Puuriri he Maahoe. Ngaa Maihi e kake ana ki te rangi, he Mataii. Te Kooruru he whatu ki tea o, he Tiitoki. Te Tekoteko e tuu ana ki te tihi oo te whare, he Maanuka. Ko te Kohehehe e awhingia te whare nei.
I cast my memory back to the many trees that once stood in the forest of Taane, they are what adorns the face of my house. The Maahoe and the Puuriri are the Poupou supporting posts. The Maihi are the bargeboards that reach into the sky, they are of Mataii. The Kooruru carved face that stress intently out into the world, is of Tiitoki. The Tekoteko, carved figure that stands on guard at the apex of the roof, is of the Maanuka. Below surrounding my house in a warm embrace is the Kohekohe.
Whakapapa me te whakamahinga oo ngaa raaku
Genealogy and uses of our House trees
