Kaitaia is known as the gateway to the far north – it's the last major town before you reach the top of New Zealand.

Kaitaia is a community of some 5,000 people living in both urban and rural areas. The district serves a much larger area, and included in the growth pattern of the extended community is the development of the Papakainga. 

The young people often can trace their local Whakapapa and the many marae seek to serve these young people and help them to respect and love their turangawaewae.

Kaitaia itself is a service town, servicing wide spread rural areas. There are few industries, which could be due to distance from the major centres. This lack of industry has a bearing on our high unemployment. The business community is relatively stable and beginning to be visible in our school and in the community.