Our Story

Waipū History

Waipu is a township 2 km inland from Bream Bay, 41 km south of Whangārei. It was founded in the mid-19th century by Scottish settlers from Nova Scotia, led by the charismatic preacher Norman McLeod. Facing economic hardship in Canada, the group went first to Australia and then to New Zealand. In 1854 they secured land at Waipū, and were joined by more Scots from Nova Scotia and Scotland. Waipū commemorates its heritage through a museum, the Waipū House of Memories, and events such as the annual Waipū Highland Games which have been held since 1871. Waipū is now a farming centre.

Waipū School History

In 1939 five of the primary schools that were founded in the 1850s and 60s by the original settlers from
Nova Scotia amalgamated to form Waipu District High School (a secondary and primary school combined).
In 1972 this was split to form Bream Bay College and Waipu Primary School.

The Waipu District High School badge incorporated the thistle and lion, which represent the Scottish-Nova Scotian
origins of the Waipu settlers. The smallest ship ‘Spray’ represented the migration to Waipu, which has become
known as one of the most remarkable migrations in the history of the world. The motto ‘Saorsa’ is Gaelic for freedom. 

Waipu Primary School still uses this badge today and is visible throughout the school grounds, on the children’s uniforms,
on Staff identification badges, letterheads and on the pavement outside the office entrance.

The students at Waipu District High School were divided into four houses for sporting competitions. The names of Sutherland, Argyll, Ross, and Inverness were chosen, representing four shires in the Scottish Highlands from which many of the settlers had originated.  

Waipu School children are still placed in these Clans today and encouraged to wear their Clan colours on Sports Days.