The department in reply asked the board to submit a report on the matter of acquisition of a site, construction of buildings and inauguration of a system of conveyance.

On 28 November 1946 contributing schools were notified that Mr Massey had been appointed headmaster from 1 February 1947 and the school opened on that date with a roll of 120 third, fourth and fifth form pupils in five classrooms, a laboratory, a general purpose room and subsidiary accommodation.

The initial WDHS (Waitara District High School) was later replaced with the present WHS.

The founding principal, Mr Massey, looked for a motto in Maori which would say – Strive on or Fight on.

The university provided a quotation from Virgil containing the words "Ulterius Tende" meaning to "strive on".