A name with a long association to the Mataura River valley has been chosen for the new Longford Intermediate and Gore High School merged schools.
Māruawai, meaning valley of water, was gifted by Kai Tahu as the name for the year 7 to 13 college.
Longford Gore merged school board of trustees presiding member Leah Wilson announced the name to about 300 guests, who included pupils, staff, parents, iwi and community, in Gore last night.
The school was based in the Mataura valley, Mrs Wilson said.
"This area has a rich history and cultural identity, and together with the contributions the two schools have made to this area, this history will be incorporated into our school’s new brand reflecting our hard working rural, inclusive community.
"Māruawai College will endeavour to both reflect and celebrate all of this," she said.
Māruawai College principal Melanie Hamilton said it was incredible to have the community there to celebrate such a special announcement.
"The name of the new school had been gifted as part of its Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership with its iwi as part of the board of trustees consultation process," she said.
Hokonui Rūnanga kaitoko matauranga Jo Brand said it was exciting to be involved with such a historic moment.
"We have worked in collaboration with both schools and community to gift such a special name, and we’re looking forward to the future of Māruawai College and watching every student succeed," she said.
Earlier this year Gore High acting rector Mrs Hamilton was appointed principal of the new school.
The merger of the schools will happen at the end of the year.
The college will be accommodated on the Gore High School site and a redevelopment of the buildings is being planned to make room for the extra pupils.
It is hoped the project will start in 2024.
The merged school will run from two sites in the interim.
