Brief Description

Auckland Grammar School is a boys-only state secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. The school also has a limited number of boarders, who live in a building adjacent to the school called Tibbs' House. It is one of the largest schools in New Zealand and is known for its unusual architectural style.

The school was created by the Auckland Grammar Appropriation Act 1868, but is predated by the school's charter given by Governor Sir George Grey's Trust Deed in 1850. Auckland Grammar School is the location of two Category I historic places under the Historic Places Act 1993 - the school's main block and a war memorial. An obelisk in front of the school commemorates former students of the school who fought in various wars. The school's main block, built in 1916 in the "Spanish Mission" style, contains a hall for school assemblies, classrooms and offices, with a vaulted ceiling covering the centre of the building. It owns a facility called VentureLodge on the outskirts of the township of Ohakune in the central North Island which is used by students for camps. The school's motto, "Per Angusta ad Augusta" (Through narrows/difficulties (Lewis and Short Latin Dictionary) to hallowed heights), is shared by some other grammar schools in Auckland. In recent times Auckland Grammar has used the translation Through difficulties to greatness (a much better translation). Grammar Boys, a 60 minute documentary about the school, was shown on New Zealand television.