The Onehunga Primary School is a notable example of the Queen Anne style being used for an educational building in New Zealand.

It is the largest extant school of the Queen Anne revival style in New Zealand.

Following the growth of both Onehunga and education in New Zealand the school expanded and in 1899 added an infant block.

The Auckland Education Board decided to construct a senior block on the most northern part of the site.

[4] The Auckland Education Board architects, Mitchell and Watt, designed a Queen Anne style building.

Previously local kids had to travel to expensive schools in nearby Auckland for further secondary education.

This became the largest high school in Auckland Province with some students travelling as far as Point Chevalier and Pukekohe.

These changes limited the efficacy of the ventilation and heating systems designed by Mitchell and Watt.

Fibrolite extensions were used to enlarge several classrooms alongside closing in the louvre windows and verandah.

[4] Large trees outside the school were cut down in 1961 due to the roots damaging the sealed ground.

[7] A trust, the Friends of Onehunga Community House Committee, took over management of the building and in 2002 started fundraising for a restoration.

A replica of the belfry was installed with the original school bell included[4] at a cost of around $100,000.

[4] Decorative elements such as the finials needed to be reconstructed based on old photographs and paint samples were analysed to determine the colours used originally.

[2] The building is now used for community groups but also houses a small museum relating to Onehunga and education in New Zealand.

[4] The Heritage New Zealand report states: 'The striking applied timbering and detailed bracket ornamentation on the main façade and belfry evoked civic pride in the institution and demonstrated the importance given to education by both the government and the local community.