Mākoura College opened its doors to about 140 third form/year nine students on February 6th 1968. The original name muted for Mākoura was Holdsworth College, however in the end a name from a public competition was chosen.
Local historian, Ben Irons won with a suggestion of Makora College. Irons was inspised by the makorā (black-billed gull) that were regularly seen soaring into the sky. He thought the soaring gulls were a great anology of what a school could do for young people's education - taking them to high places. The college was built on Makora Road, so Makora College seemed fitting.
However, the naming choice was challenged in the 1980s, with the more significant name of Makoura being adopted. The name Mākoura represented the local stream of that name and the freshwater crayfish found there. It was argued that the historically Mākoura was a culturally and customary more signifincant so that's how Makora College became Makoura College. The school adopted a macron in Mākoura College in 2019, yet the road continued to be called Makora Road until 2020, when it officially renamed Mākoura Road.
Over the years, Mākoura College has changed from the original site layout, to what we have today. We offer our students and community a range of facilities which includes: excellent fields, a gymnasium, playing turf, netball courts, a hall and a large library space.
In 2018, Mākoura College celebrated 50 years of teaching and learning.
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