Light the Mind, Fire the Heart, Engage the Whānau

Ko Waitētē te kura     

Ka noho ā mātou kura i raro i te marumaru o Kapukataumahaka   

Ka rere atu kā awa, ko Waitētē rāua ko Whaitiri puku ki Waiputai     

Tae noa ki te Tai o Araiteuru   

Ko Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe me Waitaha kā tākata whenua o tēnei rōhe 

Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha kā tākata whenua o tēnei rōhe

Ko Puketeraki te papatipu marae o te hapū nō kōnei

Welcome to Waitati School, a heart-centred place where learning thrives amidst the beauty of nature and the warmth of a close-knit community!

We are a small and vibrant country school located right here in Waitati, Dunedin. Our roots run deep; the first Waitati (Blueskin) School opened back in 1864, giving us a rich history we are proud to uphold.

We are deeply committed to being a community-focused and Enviroschools-focused place of learning. We are proud of our ākonga (students) and proud to work closely with our families and the local community.

Our passionate and dedicated teachers help children thrive in and out of the classroom. There’s always lots going on every term! Our vibrant curriculum includes sports, school trips, class assemblies, school camps, and our exciting Enviroschools programme.

At Waitati School, our core purpose is to create a true sense of belonging—a safe space where every child is free to be exactly who they are. We nurture individual strengths and passions, ensuring all students feel valued, respected, and heard.

Everything we do is underpinned by our four foundational school values, which we strive to embed daily:

• Manaakitanga (Caring and Kindness)

• Kotahitanga (Unity and Working Together)

• Rangatiratanga (Leadership)

• Turangawaewae (A Place to Stand and Belong)

Come and experience a school where your child can grow confidently, connect meaningfully, and learn joyfully!