Old Linden School opened. ‘Linden’ was the original name for the area where Kaikorai School now stands. Wright Street (originally Linden Street) became the main school entrance, replacing the former Tyne Street access.
Our Story
The Kaikorai stream and lagoon were historically significant for local Kāi Tahu, serving as a traditional mahinga kai (food-gathering) site, particularly for tuna (eel) and pātiki (flounder). The name Kaikorai is derived from a corruption of ‘kai karae’ (‘eating petrels’), referring to the Māori explorer Rākaihautū, whose party is said to have eaten these seabirds while camping at the stream’s mouth.
Māori used the Kaikorai Valley and the ridgeline of the western hills as important trails, known as Ara Kaikorai. These routes converged at the current site of Kaikorai Primary School before continuing down Māori Hill to Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and the main harbour settlement at the Toitū stream, or northward towards modern-day North East Valley.
Kaikorai Primary School Through the Years
1869
1884
The new Kaikorai School officially opened.
1969
The original stone buildings were demolished.
1981
The arches over the Tyne Street entrance were removed.
2003
The War Memorial Plaques were relocated to the Wright Street entrance to complement a newly established memorial.
2021
Construction began on a major school rebuild.
2023
The newly built classrooms, office area, library, and hall were completed and opened.