Our Place, Our Stories

Paparore School is about 15km north of Kaitaia in the Far North. It has a lot of history. On the schools poupou there are three gum nuggets. These represent the three sites of Paparore School.

The school was first sited near Te Paa A Parore Marae. It then moved between Paparore and Waimanoni settlements so the Waimanoni students didn't have to travel so far to get to school. The school was moved to its third and current site because the second site was next to the airfield and during WW2 it became too dangerous with all the bomb carrying aircraft next door.

Around all three of the school sites there used to be gumfields. The gumdiggers built their huts near the gumfields so the gumdiggers wouldn't have to travel far to work everyday. The gum in those days was like new gold.

Our current site is not in Paparore itself but a little place close by called Waipapakauri. Wai means water, papa means land and kauri is the kauri trees native to the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Put together Waipapakauri means the kauri trees that are buried in the swamps.

Paparore School students have planted native trees every Arbor Day for 12 years (since 1998). So far we have planted approximately 18 000 trees that have grown up to be strong and healthy. We also weed the plants. The school has been recognised for their efforts winning the inaugural 'Green Ribbon Award' in the kids section.