The School motto "Kia Ū Ki Te Pai" means "Cleave to that which is good" or "Abhor that which is evil" (Romans 12 verse 9, New Testament of the Bible).

In 2016 the principal said that academic success pass rate for the three National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) levels is 100%.

[6] The school was first established in August 1875 on a site in Hukarere Road, Napier near to Bishop Williams' house.

During 1886 Miss Agnes Downs, who had been one of the school's original pupils (enrolling in 1875), began her work as an assistant teacher.

[13] Archdeacon Samuel Williams, on 23 January 1893, signed the conveyance of the Hukarere School property to the Te Aute Trust Board.

[15] However government policy, such staffing of the district health nursing scheme which was implementation in 1911, and also the control over the curriculum imposed by the Inspectors of Native Schools, had a negative effect on academic education in Māori denominational boarding schools and the career opportunities for Hukarere old girls.

[12][15][18] The school buildings in Hukarere Road were destroyed in a fire early on 21 October 1910, without any loss of life.

These decisions were controversial as a number of the supporters of Hukarere were of the view that the decisions to close the school, then the hostel, were made to ensure the survival of Te Aute College, however in both cases it was Te Aute that was in financial crisis not Hukarere.

[25] The daily operations of the hostel is managed by a sub-committee made up of school board members and staff.

[25] In February 2023, the students were evacuated from the boarding hostel hours before the Esk River flooded the school grounds due to the torrential rain from Cyclone Gabrielle.

[28] It was described as being "decorated by the finest carving, panelling and scroll-work, the building has little in New Zealand church architecture to equal it.

The decoration of the interior of the chapel was directed by Arihia Ngata and Mrs R. Paenga with the students involved in the weaving of the tukutuku panels, using traditional materials.

[28][30] The carving was carried out in Gisborne by John Taiapa with the assistance of Derek Mortis, Riki Smith and Bill Paddy.