Balmacewen Intermediate School unveiled four new carvings that represented its school houses but also traditional Māori names for places in the city. They were named Whakaari (Wakari), Āraiteuru (the waka that some Ngāi Tahu ancestors arrived in), Kaikārae (Kaikorai stream) and Whānaupaki (Flagstaff).
Principal Andrew Hunter said there was a growing need to keep developing New Zealand’s history.
"It’s definitely a school asset but a community asset as well because these place names are not well known by our community."
Many Balmacewen pupils lived in those areas so it was important for them to know what their suburbs were called in the past, Mr Hunter said.
The school had a ceremony with about 600 people in attendance to unveil the carvings and the pupils performed a haka and waiata.
Mr Hunter said the pupils were excited to unveil the carvings and it was like unwrapping four big Christmas presents for them.
The carvings were made by kaiwhakairo (carver) Alex Whitaker with the support of the Otago Community Trust.
