It was founded in 1887 on the initiative of local parliamentarians, Samuel Shrimski and Thomas William Hislop,[3] and presently has a roll of just over 400 girls from the ages of 13 to 18.

These houses were named after the first four principals of the school: Margaret Burn, Catherine Ferguson,[6] Mary Gibson and Jessie Wilson.

The school motto is Dulcius Ex Arduis, which in Latin means "satisfaction from hard work".

Waitaki Girls' High School uses National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) based assessments.

Subjects taught include English, mathematics (statistics and calculus), sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, agriculture), languages (Japanese, German, Maori), classics, computer studies, Geography, History, Physical Education and Art (Painting, Photography, Art History).