Books and movies about the young wizard have cast a spell over the school's pupils, prompting them to run a system similar to the one used by the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
But rather than name their houses after Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, the school has used the more easily identified names of native trees - Kowhai (yellow), Mata (green), Rata (red) and Totara (blue). Kaikorai Valley College head girl Sophia Taing (17) said the school ran a house system from the mid-1960s until 1972, and the original houses were named after Lord Cobham, Guy Manton, Rex Maslin and Leonard Wright - all influential people for the school when it opened in 1958.
Sophia said the aims of reintroducing the house system were to build school spirit and connections between pupils of all ages, and provide an identity and sense of belonging among pupils.
It was also hoped it would encourage participation in sporting, cultural and academic activities; and community events such as the Can Appeal and Shave for Cancer.
Pupils were given their first opportunity to win points for their respective houses yesterday, during the school's annual athletics day, which was an even more colourful affair than usual.
Principal Rick Geerlofs said it had been extremely encouraging to see the healthy spirit of competition kicking into gear already.
''It's added a whole new dimension to sports day.''
