“Kia Aroha” (through love/caring) was the original motto for Clover Park Intermediate School since its establishment in 1980.

Aroha is a concept well understood by our Māori and Pasifika communities. It retains aspects of both schools, captures our history and represents all of three schools (Clover Park Intermediate, Clover Park Middle School & Te Whānau o Tupuranga) which have been part of our 30+ years ‘journey’.

The principle of aroha – authentic, genuine love and care, is fundamental to whanaungatanga – it was the basis of our original schools’ philosophies and became the designated character of the school when it merged to become Kia Aroha College: – To provide an holistic Māori – Pasifika learning environment based on the philosophy and practice of whanaungatanga.

The term “Warrior-Scholars” describes young people who are strong leaders for the future with high achievement, both in “academic” and cultural knowledge, secure cultural identity, who can act as critical advocates and agents of change for their whanau, in their communities, and in our society.

"It is a crucial aspect of our critical, social justice approach to curriculum, and our focus on positive relationships, where we talk consistently in our school documentation about “our kids” – not “other people’s children” (Delpit, 1996).