Our name

Te Oraka is the name of the Kai Tahu settlement which was located near Waikakariki (Horseshoe Lake). Oraka is Kai Tahu dialect for oranga, meaning wellbeing. Our name Nourish Oraka therefore references both wellbeing and this place, which are both core to our purpose to provide healthy kai and strengthen our local community. The map below is taken from the Ngai Tahu Atlas and there is further information on the site of Te Kete Wānanga o Ōraka (Shirley Library). Shirley Intermediate School is now named Te Oraka. Through this we have learned that the macron used in the library naming Ōraka is erroneous so we are phasing out the use of the macron in our name.