Katikati College Unveils New Tohu and Revamped House System

After two years of consultation with students, staff, whānau, and the wider community, Katikati College has launched a new school tohu (logo) and a refreshed house system, unveiled at a special assembly on 4 December 2025. Principal Lousie Buckley said the college had moved away from its crest — designed in 1955 and rooted in the symbols of early European settlement — towards something that better reflects who the school is today and its connections to place, people, and environment.

Local design company Paulownia worked with a focus group that included head students, staff, a Board of Trustees member, and representatives from local marae to develop the new tohu. The completed design features four interwoven layers symbolising the college's values of Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, and Kaitiakitanga, with each layer also representing an element of the local environment stretching from the Kaimai Ranges to the moana. Accompanying motifs were designed by a group of 35 students across all year levels.

The four new houses replace names that had honoured early European settlers since 1939. The new names — Mountain/Maunga (red), River/Awa (green), Beach/Tātahi (yellow), and Sea/Moana (blue) — reflect the interconnected geography of the Katikati district. Buckley emphasised that the old crest will remain visible around the kura on trophies and cups, honouring those who came before.

Community voices were warm in their response. Valarie Uilou of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua described the result as inclusive and diverse, while Otawhiwhi Marae chair Reon Tuanau said the logo and house designs look mīharo (amazing) and capture where the community is today. From 2026, all students will be reshuffled randomly into the new houses, and existing uniform stock bearing the old crest will be sold down before the new logo is phased in.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).