As a parent balancing work, family, and the hope of giving your child the best possible start, you are looking for a school that does more than teach facts. You want a place that grounds your child in values, cultivates character, and builds a sense of purpose in the ordinary moments of life. At Tōtara Point School, our very name reflects this vision. It connects us with a decisive moment in New Zealand’s Catholic history and reminds us that great things often begin in humble settings when families act with courage and faith.
Tōtara Point, nestled on the Hokianga Harbour in Northland, is remembered as the site of the first Catholic Mass in New Zealand. On January 13, 1838, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier celebrated the Eucharist in the simple timber home of Irish settlers Thomas and Mary Poynton. From that day forward, the Mass has never ceased on these shores, becoming a daily thread that runs through the life of our nation.
This history speaks of resilience, devotion, and the transforming power of faith in everyday settings. A modest family home became a sacred space. A small group of settlers became the roots of a living tradition that continues today. For our school community, it is a powerful reminder that every ordinary action, when lived with love and perseverance, has the potential to shape future generations.
The Poyntons were more than witnesses to history; they were its protagonists. As parents of young children, they faced immense challenges in raising their family in the faith. With no priest in New Zealand, they repeatedly braved the dangerous journey to Sydney to baptize their children and later petitioned tirelessly for missionaries to serve their community. Their determination and foresight brought Bishop Pompallier to Tōtara Point, ensuring that the sacraments could be celebrated locally.
Their example resonates strongly with our mission at Tōtara Point School. Just as the Poyntons partnered with church leaders for the sake of their children, we view parents as indispensable partners in education. Through workshops, family events, and ongoing dialogue, we build a school culture where home and schoolwork hand in hand. In the small habits of daily life, whether family meals, shared prayer, or helping with homework, parents find opportunities to shape their children’s hearts as much as their minds.
The story of Tōtara Point is more than history; it is a lens for modern family life. Parents today juggle demanding careers, busy schedules, and the call to raise children well. Like the Poyntons, we too can transform ordinary routines into extraordinary opportunities. A word of encouragement, a small sacrifice made cheerfully, or a moment of attention given to a child all have the power to build character and strengthen family bonds.
At Tōtara Point School, we help children recognize this truth from their earliest years. We teach them that joy can be found in the simple things done well, that perseverance matters more than perfection, and that service to others begins in small, everyday acts. This way of living prepares our students not only for academic success, but also for lives of purpose, generosity, and quiet leadership.
By naming our school after Tōtara Point, we embrace both a legacy and a mission. We honour the pioneering families who laid down roots of faith in New Zealand, and we commit to helping today’s families form children who are grounded, resilient, and full of hope.
If you are seeking a school that nurtures the whole child within a Catholic ethos that welcomes all respectful families, we invite you to join us. Tōtara Point School opens on January 28, 2026, at Level 1, 303 Manukau Road, Epsom. We begin with Years 1 to 4 (up to 100 students) and will grow to Years 1 to 6 by 2027.
Contact us for a tour or to express interest. Places are limited for 2026.
👉 Visit totarapoint.school.nz or email admissions@totarapoint.school.nz to learn more.
Living in Auckland, where busy city life meets moments of calm, education can feel like more than just schoolwork. It is a chance to help your child grow in meaningful ways. At Tōtara Point School, opening in late January 2026 as a co-educational primary for children aged 5 to 11, we bring a Catholic ethos that blends learning, character, health, and a sense of purpose.
Picture your child, bright-eyed yet quietly weighed down by the routine of the standard school grind, stepping into a classroom where the day unfolds like a personalised story. No more one-size-fits-all lessons, but an environment where curiosity is at the centre of learning. Suddenly “I have to” becomes “I get to.”
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