Our Name: Why James Cook?
OUR NAME: WHY JAMES COOK?
(excerpt from James Cook High School Silver Jubilee)
The name chosen for the school created special interest. Many suggestions for a name had been proposed by local residents for the new high school which was initially labeled 'Manurewa South High School'.
The Principal Mr. Lane, felt that while it was good for the first school in it to be named after the district, there was a great deal of merit in having the second school given an inspirational name around which it could gather many of its future traditions.
Mrs. M.A. Roberts (a foundation member of the Board of Governors) suggested the name James Cook for the school. There is no one person more notable in the history of New Zealand than Captain James Cook, Royal Navy. He rediscovered New Zealand in October 1769, charted the coastline and named many of our places and seaways.
The name met with widespread interest and approval, as the year that the school was founded (1968), was the bicennial of the commencement of Captain Cook's epic voyage on the 'Endeavour' into the vast, little-known south seas of the Pacific.
The life and character of this great navigator and explorer contain many of the aims and ideas of a sound education. He was a superb model of honour, conduct and endeavor; a brilliant leader of men who was practical, modest, and self-educated. He was far in advance of his time in the care of the health and well-being of his men and his attitudes to the peoples of the Pacific Area.
His record of splendid achievement and the name of his ship 'Endeavor', which has been chosen as the school motto, will provide inspiration for succeeding generations of pupils at James Cook High School.
Captain Cook
... a man whose sterling if unobtrusive virtues entitle him to rank among the great ...
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.6% Yes! New Year, New Me
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22.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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67.3% Nah - not for me
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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84.6% Same!
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15.4% Would have liked to try something different
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
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