Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Piripono Te Kura Whakahou Ki Otara was established in 1987 as a Kokiri Te Rahuitanga initiative supported by the Otara community

 and was duly designated a Kura kaupapa Maori in 1989 in accordance with the Education Act, 1989, s155.

  Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Piripono Te Kura Whakahou Ki Otara was one of the six Kura selected by the Minister of Education to pilot this exciting initiative.

The name Piripono meaning steadfast in truth Gods truth!

Kura Whakatauki

“Ko te wehi ki a Ihowā te tïmatanga o te mātauranga"

"The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom."

Psalm 111: 10

The name Whakahou was an acknowledgement to a strong group of ex Hillary college students back in the 70s

who had a very strong political awareness this group was made up of Maori and Pacific Island youth.