The school overlooks the Manukau Harbour - with the West Coast beach, Waitakere Ranges,
Auckland City skyline, International Airport, Hunua Ranges and the Bombay Hills - as a
panoramic backdrop.

We have typical coastal weather here on the Peninsula (check the trees), very few frosts and lots of sunshine
and rain. We can always check out what the day's going to bring us 'weather-wise' on our local weather site.

The school roll varies between 100 and 130; has six full-time teachers - which includes the Principal -
and one part-time teacher. Support Staff includes a Secretary, an Accounts clerk, four Teacher Aides,
a Caretaker, a Cleaner, a very part-time IT technician and many Parent Helpers.

A special character of Awhitu District School is its commitment to conservation and recycling projects.
Many of our Pupils are involved in Trees For Survival.

This is a programme involving the growing of hundreds of seedlings at school for planting out into selected
areas of the local environment. Many 'at risk' areas of the Peninsula have been saved from erosion problems through this important programme.

Also established at school is a 'wormery' that produces highly fertile castings, manufactured by our many thousands of worms, using the majority of the school's food and paper waste.

The school also has a well-established 'Pine Tree Plantation' for future school funds. This area is very popular
with the pupils especially during pruning time. We then witness some fantastic huts and forts constructed with
the discarded branches and limbs.

There is a beautiful stand of native bush - including some magnificent Kauri trees - on the school's back
doorstep, which is utilised often by classes for class studies as well as recreational purposes.


We are also fortunate to have the very popular Awhitu Regional Park close to our school. We use it for all kinds of school-related activities including the hosting of the Waiuku Schools Group Day Crosscountry championships

The school's community at Matakawau has a new hall, a garage, a superette, a playcentre, a cub/scout den, a gym and several churches.

Local interests and recreation focuses mainly on the water. There is a wide variety of shellfish readily available (try our succulent oysters) and excellent fishing both in the harbour and over the bar in the Tasman Sea. Other activities catered for within the community include: golf, bowls, tennis, taekwondo, yoga and badminton.

Matakawau Point near school. A popular fishing spot from the wharf after school, on weekends and during the holidays.

A larger than normal swimming pool. Very popular after school and all Summer long. Washes away the salt water.