On Monday 6 May, we welcomed our new Principal Mr Wiri Warriner - below is his opening address in this week's High Tide newsletter, together with some photographs capturing the event:

Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Ōrewa,

My name is Wiri Warriner and I am writing to you as the newly appointed principal of Orewa College. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I extend my warmest greetings to all members of our school community.

This morning I was treated to an amazing pōhiri welcome by the school in the Orewa Arts and Event Centre. The manaakitanga, care and hospitality demonstrated by the haukāinga, the teachers, senior leaders, staff and students was incredible.

Twenty-three years ago, I stood on the very stage of the Arts and Event Centre as a graduate of Orewa College. I also attended the middle school when it was once a primary school. I lived on Centreway Road for most of my childhood, I captained the 1st XV, became a prefect, and was part of kapa haka rōpū such as Ngā Pūtōrino o Orewa. My roots run deep within this school and this community. So, it is exciting and an absolute privilege to be returning to Orewa College as your principal.

Today, it was important for me to meet all of your children, structuring in assemblies for most of the day, which gave the opportunity for some students to personally introduce themselves to me. I must say, the school is blessed to have some amazing students here, which is a credit to themselves, their whānau, and the staff at Orewa College who have already had an impact on their lives.

As I step into this role, I am deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as your principal. I am committed to upholding the traditions and values that Orewa College is known for, while also embracing innovation and growth to ensure the success and well-being of every student.

An overarching mission is to position Orewa College as a proud educational establishment within our community. We will seek to sustain, enhance and cultivate a diverse array of exceptional opportunities, whether within academics, sports, cultural, the arts, or leadership, these opportunities will link towards providing outstanding outcomes for our students.

There is a whakatauki (proverb) – He rangatahi anamata, Our Youth is Our Future. Today’s society provides a vast range of rich opportunities for our rangatahi (youth), but at the same time, provides a complexity of challenges. At Orewa College, we will continue to be the hope that our kids need, guiding them towards their goals and aspirations, and nurturing their dreams even in times of uncertainty.

As we embark on this journey together, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. With your support, I am confident that we will continue to build upon the legacy of excellence at Orewa College.

Nāku noa, nā,


Wiri Warriner
Principal, Orewa College