The Manukura GPS boys of Ōtaki College unofficially hold the world record for the number of hours playing 4-square non-stop. Just after 2pm on Sunday, October 4, the team called it quits after playing in the college hall continuously since Saturday morning.  They had beaten the previous mark in the Guinness Book of World Records by an hour... Keep Reading

Work is under way to ensure the permanence of Ōtaki College’s Sander Scholarship. Shelley Macrae of Sander Ties has committed her company to supporting the award as it stands, as long as Sander is still operating. The company was established in 1921. However, college principal Andy Fraser says that with Shelley’s support, he wanted to... Keep Reading

Ōtaki College has benefited from a $350,000 contribution from Kāpiti Coast District Council to refurbish its ageing gymnasium. The council agreed to the grant, which will be spread over six years, on condition that the gym will be available for community use for sporting events and training. The funding, which was agreed through... Keep Reading

Every young woman deserves to understand how much they are valued, their worth, strength and purpose, says Andrea Wheatley. Andrea is running a course for students at Ōtaki College in the third term called Shinegirl. The course is aimed at giving girls the skills to approach their education, and ultimately their future, with confidence and... Keep Reading

There will be no visit by the Ōtaki Scholar this year, the first absence since the Second World War. The head Boy of Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) in Aberdeen, Scotland, automatically becomes the Ōtaki Scholar, which includes a visit to Ōtaki and other parts of New Zealand in July. Head boy this year is Patrick Robinson. RGC’s... Keep Reading

The calm voice of a man well into his 90s, but with wartime memories as vivid as yesterday, urged a mainly young audience not to allow war to happen again. Chris King was speaking on Monday (March 9) during the annual commemoration at Ōtaki College of the sinking of SS Otaki in 1917. This year also acknowledged the contribution of the Arctic... Keep Reading

All past Ōtaki College students are invited to get together at the RSA on Friday, February 7. Foundation pupil Ron Gibbard, who has been on the organising committee for the college’s 50th and 60th reunions, says students of his age are “getting on a bit”. “At the most recent reunion last year, a few of us there thought we couldn’t wait... Keep Reading

Ōtaki area state schools and kura are to get just over a million dollars in government funding to spend on infrastructure. The money in a nationwide hand-out totalling $400 million will help schools with things such as upgrading and fixing classrooms, replacing roofing and guttering, and resurfacing paved areas. Schools will not be the only... Keep Reading

Receiving financial awards at the Ōtaki College prize-giving on October 31 were:mHunter Austin: Kāpiti Skills Trust Year 11 Award for Outdoor Education. Paikea Bai-Te Kira: Kāpiti Skills Trust Year 11 Award for Outdoor Education; MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 11 Boy. Lauren Blakeley: Sander Scholar Award, Sander Ties; Concrete Doctors... Keep Reading

Damien Doyle is Ōtaki College’s 2019 sportsperson of the year. At the college’s sports prize-giving ceremony on October 24, Damien received the accolade and a financial award from local company Marlan Trading. Damien is a top performer in swimming and surf lifesaving, winning a gold and four silver medals at national level in swimming and... Keep Reading

Young Ōtaki College actor Parekawa Finlay is off to the Globe Theatre in London thanks to the generosity of the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust. The trust came up with the $9000 required after hearing of Pare’s selection to attend the theatre made famous by bard William Shakespeare. “We knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so the... Keep Reading

Brian Van was rewarded for his academic efforts by being announced as dux in the 2019 Ōtaki College senior prize-giving awards on October 31. Brian will be studying for a bachelor of engineering with honours at Wellington’s Victoria University next year. His list of first-in-class in 2019 included calculus, chemistry, physics and statistics.... Keep Reading

Ōtaki College’s junior netball team finished the season unbeaten in pool games, comfortably winning the Kāpiti colleges competition. In the competition final on September 28, the girls played Kapanui Magic and won 28-9 at Te Ati Awa Park, completing the eight-game regular season unbeaten. Kapanui, however, had delivered Ōtaki its only loss... Keep Reading

The launch of the Lifting the Lid youth suicide project has raised $10,000. A lunch at Southwards Car Museum on Friday, October 4, raised the cash after a garden shed donated by Ōtaki College, artwork, a Hurricanes rugby shirt, an own-label gin prize and other items were auctioned. The Nikau Foundation also announced that it would provide $5000.... Keep Reading

Two Ōtaki College students who sailed on the Spirit of Adventure would recommend the experience to any young person. Kyla Tawhara-Royal and Jesse Green had 10 days on the sailing ship in May. The voyage is described by the Spirit of Adventure Trust as a life-changing experience – something that’s clearly been the case with Kyla and Jesse. Keep Reading