Gifting a korowai to Woodford House has been a year-long project for the school's kapa haka team.
Kapa haka leader Angel Hillman was supported by Year 13 kapa haka members Montana Porima and Farren McGregor-Smyth, who together worked on the creation of the Maori cloak - from sourcing funds, right through to the design and completion.
The korowai is called He Wahine Toa, which means strong woman, and was gifted to the school at a special chapel service ceremony on Friday.
Ms Hillman said it was "about leaving a legacy behind once we leave school - senior students leaving something for their teina, the younger ones."
Mona Stewart, a kuia [elder] to Hillman, who was heavily involved in the design and creation, said the korowai was "built on love".
The korowai is made from black, red and white feathers and a bodice from the kapa haka's attire.
The design describes its putake, its meaning.
The red feathers along the bottom represent the love that students have for Woodford House and for learning.
The black feathers show a link between the students and the land, meaning there is groundedness, stability and an inner strength.
The large expanse of white feathers represents the wairua or spirit and speaks of a love for God.
The white and red feathers dotted about represent bonds of love and strength, while the
upper layer of red feathers represent the coming together in unity of the thoughts, time, work and people who created the korowai.
The first student to wear He Wahine Toa will be this year's dux at the school prizegiving on December 6.