Waitākere College

Waitākere College
Location
42 Rathgar Road,
Henderson,
Auckland 0610,
New Zealand
Coordinates36°52′2″S 174°37′15″E / 36.86722°S 174.62083°E / -36.86722; 174.62083
Information
TypeState, Co-educational, Secondary School (Year 9–13)
MottoAchievement for All
Ministry of Education Institution no.44
PrincipalMark Shanahan
Enrollment1,951 (October 2025)
Socio-economic decile3I
Websitewaitakerecollege.school.nz

Waitākere College is a state coeducational secondary school located in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand, established in 1975. A total of 1,951 students from Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18) attend Waitākere College as of October 2025.

Students entering the college are allocated into one of three "Houses". The house names use Māori words: Aroha (Love), Manawanui (Perseverance), and Matauranga (Knowledge).

Waitākere College offers an extra 'Performing Arts' subject formerly run by Stephen Nightingale. Entry is based on an audition process and the course runs for years 9 and 10. It covers drama, dance, music, singing, theatre, film/television, editing, theatre lighting, make-up and costume.

Waitākere College is often used as a filming location for the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, as the location of Ferndale High School.