The school attracts students from the suburbs of Onehunga, Māngere Bridge, Hillsborough, and Royal Oak and accepts a limited number of students from outside its zone.
Onehunga High School was "founded" in 1959 by Mr J. C. McCarthy on its Pleasant Street site. At its birth the roll was 190 students but it has grown slowly to a peak of over 1,500.[2] McCarthy was principal from the foundation until his retirement 19 years later.[3]
Onehunga is situated in one of Auckland's suburbs' overlooking the Manukau Harbour. Many Onehunga High School families have long histories in the area and a large number of the students are second- or third- generation students. The school's proximity to Onehunga and Penrose's industrial and retail area has enabled links with some service clubs and businesses, including scholarships and trust funds.
In the early days the school was mono-cultural in character, but during the 1980s it developed towards a multi-cultural school, with increasing numbers of Māori, Polynesian and Asian students. Today the school is strongly international and enjoys all the qualities a wide range of cultures bring.[2]
In the 1980s as part of wider decentralisation changes in the New Zealand education system, the school was provided self-governance under a board of trustees system. In 1996, Onehunga High School opened Te Haerenga, the school marae.[4] From 2000, the school underwent a modernisation and development programme. In 2024 the school created a new learning culture using values in the acronym WAKA.
The school has always received students from Onehunga, Royal Oak, Hillsborough and Māngere Bridge. The main feeder school is Royal Oak Intermediate. With the change of principal in 2022 the roll has increased massively.
Enrolment
As of July 2025, Onehunga High School has a roll of 1029 students, of which 206 (20.0%) identify as Māori.[1]
As of 2025, the school has an Equity Index of 480,[5] placing it amongst schools whose students have above average socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 4 and 5 under the former socio-economic decile system).[6]
Premises
In 2022 the school completed major redevelopments, including a new tech block, gym and courtyard. The tech block named Te Kupenga Wānanga has purpose- built, state-of-the art facilities for science, wood-work and cooking. The new gym is large enough for 2 basketball courts and a full school assembly.[7]
Academics
In 2024 the school had one of their highest NCEA pass rates with 71% in Level 1 (25% above national), 79% in Level 2 (5% above national), and 82% in Level 3 (12% above national).[8]
Unlike other schools[9] OHS has chosen to continue running NCEA Level 1 for the time being
Academic divisions
In addition to the normal academic departments by learning areas, Onehunga High School has the following internal divisions at the Pleasant St campus:
The Business School
The Construction School
The Services Academy
Onehunga High Business School
Onehunga High Business School logo
The school previously incorporated a business school, founded in 2002[10] which attracted significant amounts of media publicity at them time, and visits from many notable people including the Rt Hon Helen Clark (New ZealandPrime Minister at the time) and Rt Hon John Key (Leader of the Opposition). The Business School played a key role in creating better recognition for business standards and got them included in NCEA. It was founded by Just Water International's creator Tony Falkenstein, and was sponsored by brewery company Lion Nathan.
Onehunga High Construction School
The Building and Construction School is a vocational division which provides opportunities for students to explore their interests in this trade. This program was previously sponsored by Fletcher Construction.
Onehunga High Services Academy
The Services Academy is a unit focusing on preparing students who are looking for a future career in the New Zealand Defence Force or police. This program was disestablished in 2024.
Principals
Con McCarthy 1959–1978
Ken Prebble 1978–1990
Chris Saunders 1990–2007
Deidre Shea 2007–2022
Shameen Hayat 2023 – present
Student life
Music And Performing Arts
Students are encouraged to participate in performing arts activities. The school has several performing arts groups which perform regularly at school and community functions. All "Year 9" students are offered instrumental (guitar, drums, trumpet) or voice tuition. Talent shows are held regularly which provide an opportunity for young performers to display their talents.
"Stage Challenge" involves up to 150 students in a student-directed and choreographed dance and drama spectacular.
Each year, until 2009, one Onehunga High School student wins a scholarship (provided by Tony Falkenstein) to attend the Cazadero Performing Arts Camp in California, US. In 2010, the scholarship was altered and now it sends two OHS students to Geelong Music Camp in Australia.
"Bring It On" involves up to 100 students in a student-choreographed hip hop-based dance. Onehunga High School placed 1st in the 2010 Bring It On Grand Final and 2nd in 2009.
OHS Sports
Onehunga High School offers a wide range of sports and has had success during its school history. Their Premier Boys Basketball team and 1st XV Boys Rugby Team are currently competing in Auckland's Premier Grades Respectively. They have collected many Auckland Titles through their sports teams and have also won National honors in Softball (2002) and most recently have become the 2012 1st XV Co-ed national champions stating their place as the best Co-Ed rugby school in NZ.
Robotics
Onehunga High School has adopted Vex robotics as an extracurricular programme, enabling students to spend lunchtimes and weekends designing, building and programming their own robots. The school's teams have been extremely successful.
2012 has seen Onehunga High School become world champions at the Vex Robotics Championships. The championship, in 2012, was held in Los Angeles – involving more than 10,000 intermediate, high school and university students, teachers and mentors from 20 countries who competed and won at regional and national contests to qualify for the world championships. Onehunga, as well as winning overall, also took the top prize as Engineering Division Champions.
Notable alumni
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