The name was changed in 1953 when Ōpōtiki College opened as a separate secondary school (on its present site).

[citation needed] The school marae (Maori communal space) was opened in 1981, complete with a dedicated meeting house or wharenui, given the name Kura Ki Uta.

The school kapa haka roopu (Māori Performing Arts team) has taken this name too.

The new maihe {front facing barge boards} represent the local tribes (iwi), Whakatōhea, Tūhoe, Ngāitai and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.

[4] With remarkable inclusivity the traditional school house names cover a diverse range of representatives, some of New Zealand's foremost representatives in their domains- sports, academic, science, literature, politicians, Ngati Porou, rainbow, Nobel prize winner, Victoria Cross winner.