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Overlooking Waiuku and the Karioitahi hills sits a small slice of history.
In 1883, the Auckland Education Board (AEB) erected a single-classroom school consisting of a former Wesleyan chapel relocated from Waiuku. This was built on a three-acre site overlooking the Karioitahi settlement. In 1886 the schoolteacher’s house (now privately owned) was added nearby and has been restored as short-stay accommodation on Airbnb.
A new school opened in 1931, with Kariaotahi the spelling used by the education board in all documentation.
The school closed in 1968 and became a community hall now owned by Waikato District Council and managed by the Kariaotahi Hall Society on behalf of the council for its targeted ratepayers and the community.
Kariaotahi Hall Society secretary Kay Vincent says the former school has had ongoing upgrades and restoration over the past few years.
“On July 31, we officially opened our newly sealed carpark – which is a huge improvement. Thank you to the Waikato District Council for organising contractors to do that work for us. Our previous carpark limited how we could hire the hall, and it’s a much safer area now.”
The carpark upgrade also led to further improvements in drainage and landscaping and coincided with a significant water-system upgrade, also completed in conjunction with the council.
The hall’s small size makes it a good option as a venue for workshops, regular meetings, and small-scale functions, and the new sealed area adds further possibilities, she says.
“One of our regular bookings during school terms is an agricultural school, and we also have a booking for WaiArt Art Group’s exhibition for the upcoming Franklin Arts Trail in October.”
Vincent says the hall society continues to work on the restoration of the building and grounds to improve its facilities and usage as a hired venue. The society is looking forward to celebrating the centenary of the Kariaotahi School site in 2031 and are keen to hear from anyone who may have photos or local history to share.
Those interested in booking the hall can email kariaotahihallcommittee@gmail.com.
*Karioitahi is the spelling for the area and the beach, while the spelling Kariaotahi was used for the school which is now a community hall. There have been many variations of these spellings over the years.
