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Waiopehu College is a state coeducational secondary school located in Levin, New Zealand. The school opened in February 1973 as Levin's second secondary school, after Horowhenua College struggled to cope with 1200 students. Serving Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18), the school has a roll of 560 students as of November 2024.

The original school buildings were built to the Education Department's S68 design: single-storey classroom blocks of cinderblock or masonry construction, with low-pitched roofs and internal open courtyards. The college was one of many that had problems with leaking roofs in the 1990s and 2000s due to the S68's roof design. In 2014 the school opened a purpose-built teen parent unit. The building won an award in the 'education' category at the 2015 New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards. In 2016 a new special needs unit was opened.

Notable alumni

• Barry Petherick – former principal at Waiopehu College, made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his work in education.
• Carlos Spencer – rugby union player and coach, All Black (1995–2004).
• Robert Nopera (Chubb) Tangaroa - international softball player, made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

References

1. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
2. Swarbrick, Nancy (16 November 2012). "First day at Waiopehu College - Numbers and types of schools - Primary and secondary education". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
3. Hill, Marika (5 July 2010). "Leaking roofs hit region's schools". Stuff. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
4. Townend, Lucy (27 January 2014). "Second chance for young mothers". Stuff. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
5. "He Whare Manaaki Tangata: Teen Parent Unit at Waiopehu College". NZ Institute of Architects. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
6. "He Whare Manaaki Tangata". McKenzie Higham Architects. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
7. Tuckey, Karoline (22 June 2016). "New architecture embraces inclusive unit at Waiopehu College". Stuff. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
8. "Four appointed to New Zealand Order of Merit". Stuff. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
9. "Houston could follow same track as Carlos Spencer". The New Zealand Herald. 16 September 2005. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
10. "Robert Nopera Tangaroa". Heritage Horowhenua. Retrieved 4 May 2023.

External links

• Education Review Office (ERO) reports for Waiopehu College

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