Nestled on a hill north of Orewa are temporary, prefabricated classrooms feeding the minds of school children. 

Just above them, their enormous school is being built.

Nukumea Primary School may be under construction, but when the school bells ring for the first time in the new building, it will welcome children from the area through its doors.

Steve Mouldey, the principal of Nukumea Primary School, said the Ministry of Education saw the growth in the area and decided to build a new school to accommodate the growth. 

The earthworks started in March 2021 but ceased a few months later when New Zealand was thrown into lockdown.

The temporary school was due to open near the site in February 2021, but due to months of delays from land purchase and consent requirements (and Covid), the school only opened its doors in February 2023 with a handful of children. 

Now, after years of delays, they are closer than ever to open the new doors in the middle of the year.

Currently, the children are being taught in three temporary prefabricated classrooms at the foot of the construction site in Crozier Place. 

There is also an office space next to the classrooms.

Once Steve rings the school bell in the new building, there will be 18  class teaching spaces across a two-storey teaching block to accommodate 420 students.  

Steve said once the doors open, they are expecting about 150 children in the first two years. 

The new school will also have an administration/reception area, library, a multipurpose hall, sports fields and a car park.

The school was originally going to be named Orewa North Primary School, but due to several schools with the word ‘Orewa’ in it, the Ministry of Education and the board of trustees decided on another name and Steve is thrilled they chose Nukumea.

“We wanted a name that reflects the unique local history of the area,” said Steve.

“The name of Nukumea was gifted to us by Ngati Whatua o Kaipara and references Nukumea Stream which flows through our environment.”

The stream flows along the border of the Pacific Heights Development, down through Alice Eaves Reserve and out into the sea at Orewa Beach. 

Steve said the leadership team spent time last year walking the paths beside the stream while researching the history of the area.

The school’s logo was designed by a local designer, Aaron Hall. 

Steve said Aaron drew the logo and one morning, while on a sunrise walk, saw an amazing orange sunrise and decided to add it to the branding. 

The logo is a true representation of the school. 

The school shirts are branded with the logo as well as the colours - navy, light blue and sunrise orange.

The current school facility is surrounded by fencing to keep the children and staff safe during the construction. 

Steve said he often sees curious children watching the work being done at the site. 

“They are more eager to be at the new school than what the teachers are,” he said.