A graphic giving the status of Aranui Primary School.
A photograph of Aranui Primary School community members meeting the 'All Righties'. The photograph was taken at the launch of the Aranui AWA trail at Aranui School.
A photograph of three Aranui Primary School pupils and an adult looking at a trail map. The photograph was taken at the launch of the Aranui AWA trail at Aranui School.
A photograph of Aranui Primary School pupils attending an assembly featuring the 'All Righties'. The photograph was taken at the launch of the Aranui AWA trail at Aranui School.
A photograph of Aranui Primary School pupils meeting one of the 'All Righties'. The photograph was taken at the launch of the Aranui AWA trail at Aranui School. All Right? posted the photograph on their Facebook page on 2 September 2015 at 3:55pm.
A graphic giving the status of Aranui High School.
A photograph of two people looking at an AWA Trail map. The photograph was taken at the launch of the Aranui AWA trail at Aranui School. All Right? posted the photograph on their Facebook page on 2 September 2015 at 3:55pm.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Container in Breezes Road, Aranui".
This thesis examines the closing of Aranui High School in 2016, a low socio-economic secondary school in eastern Christchurch, New Zealand, and reflects on its history through the major themes of innovation and the impact of central government intervention. The history is explored through the leadership of the school principals, and the necessity for constant adaptation by staff to new ways of teaching and learning, driven by the need to accommodate a more varied student population – academically, behaviourally and culturally – than most other schools in wider Christchurch. Several extreme changes, following a neoliberal approach to education policies at a national government level, impacted severely on the school’s ability to thrive and even survive over the 57 years of its existence, with the final impact of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes leading indirectly to Aranui High’s closure. The earthquakes provided the National government with the impetus to advocate for change to education in Christchurch; changes which impacted negatively on many schools in Christchurch, including Aranui High School. The announcement of the closure of Aranui High shocked many staff and students, who were devastated that the school would no longer exist. Aranui High School, Aranui Primary School, Wainoni Primary School and Avondale Primary School were all closed to make way for Haeata Community Campus, a year 1 to 13 school, which was built on the Aranui High site. Aranui High School served the communities of eastern Christchurch for 57 years from 1960 and deserves acknowledgment and remembrance, and my hope is that this thesis will provide a fair representation of the school’s story, including its successes and challenges, while also explaining the reasons behind the eventual closure. This thesis contributes to New Zealand public history and uses mixed research methods to examine Aranui High School’s role as a secondary school in eastern Christchurch. I argue that the closure of Aranui High School in 2016 was an unjustified act by the Ministry of Education.
It is no secret that there is a problem with the suburb of Aranui. Developed in the 1950s, Aranui and neighbouring Wainoni are an example of the large-scale, state-funded subdivisions of the time, yet, unlike similar developments in the North Island, they have received little to no attention from researchers. In light of the recent Canterbury earthquakes, this dissertation aims to trace the evolution of these suburbs until the 1970s and act as the first stage of a more comprehensive review of state housing and the Aranui/Wainoni area. By critically reviewing existing literature on state housing and housing policy in New Zealand, as well as undertaking archival research, this dissertation addresses the international influences on state housing in New Zealand generally and the development of the Aranui and Wainoni area more specifically in order to provide a foundation for answering the question, "What went so wrong?"
After Christchurch's devastating earthquakes, whole areas of the city, particularly out East, are starting from scratch - Aranui is one of them. Today, Lianne Dalziel cut the ribbon on the suburb's new community centre.
A portable toilet on the side of Brockenhurst Street in Aranui.
A portable toilet on the side of Brockenhurst Street in Aranui.
A photograph of a leaning power pole on Corhampton Street in Aranui.
A photograph of UC Geology students inspecting liquefaction on Corhampton Street in Aranui.
A photograph of UC Geology students inspecting liquefaction on Corhampton Street in Aranui.
A sign on the side of Anzac Drive in Aranui reading, "Earthquake damage".
As far as suburbs with bad reputations go, Aranui in Christchurch often seems to dominate local public perceptions. High crime, high unemployment, low incomes, run-down state houses and uncared-for neighbourhoods have been the key words and phrases used over many decades. This reputation achieved national standing over the same period and in 2001 Aranui gained the dubious distinction of becoming the pilot project for the Labour Government’s state housing Community Renewal Programme initiated in 2001. It is common to read “Don’t buy or rent here” comments on websites and blogs advising prospective immigrants on where to live. One of the dispiriting moments in Aranui’s history came in September 2009 with the discovery of two bodies under the floorboards of a Hampshire Street property and the subsequent charge of double-homicide and conviction of local resident Jason Somerville for the murder of his wife Rebecca Chamberlain and neighbour Tisha Lowry.
A photograph of a UC Geology student inspecting liquefaction on Corhampton Street in Aranui.
A photograph of the base of a leaning power pole and surrounding liquefaction on Corhampton Street in Aranui.
Damage to the Aranui Community Hall on Breezes Road. Large sections of the double-brick walls have collapsed.
A film directed by Christchurch East Youth MP Beth Walters, produced and filmed by Lila Gibbens. The film captures the views of more than 50 young people from Aranui High School, Linwood College and Mairehau High School. Students share their answers to the following questions: How do you feel about living in the East? What don't you like about living in the East? What do you want to see more of? What do you like? Do you, as a young person in the East, feel your voice is heard? Would you stay? The film features an original song produced by three Aranui High School students: Cheyenne Thompson (lyrics), Evile Jireh Sisifo Laloata (vocals) and Peni Junior Iva (guitar).
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake aftermath. Wayne Jordan who lives in Aranui takes refuge at Twiggers Restaurant at Addington Raceway".
A graphic giving the status of Wainoni School.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Band Together in Christchurch's Hagley Park as a post-earthquake party. A member of Aranui band A'ppreeshiate".
The front page graphic for the Mainlander section of The Press, featuring an article titled, "Street fighting".
A photograph of Vaea Hutchen, Health Promoter for All Right?, taking part in #FiveYearsOn. Hutchen holds a sign which reads, "Five years on, I feel... brighter and ready to go// Vaea, Aranui". All Right? posted the photograph on their Facebook page on 23 February 2016 at 6.00pm. All Right? captioned the photograph, "Aranui's Vaea from All Right? is feeling brighter and ready to go! #fiveyears on #5yearson #allrightnz".
Damage to the Aranui Community Hall on Breezes Road. Large sections of the double-brick walls have collapsed, and a cordon fence has been erected around the building.
Page 20 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Wednesday 30 November 2011.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Even the portaloos were supporting the All Blacks during the Rugby World Cup. This one was seen in Breezes Road, Aranui".