In 1983 the school logo changed to incorporate the Mangakahia River, the Titoki Tree and the Houto Mountain.

The name Mangakahia comes from: MANGA - stream and KOHIA - native creeper. Mangakahia starts from the springs at the foot of Tutamoe. Tutamoe is the highest mountain in Northland. TUTA was a Tupuna - MOI a puppy. Tutamoe translates literally to Tuta and his puppy.

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Mangakahia is a fertile river valley watered by the Mangakahia River, from Waimatenui to just below the Wairua Falls at Titoki. It is bounded by the western ranges of Opouteke, Tutamoe (modern spelling, giving rise to the erroneous but common belief it means 'sleeping giant') and Maungaru, and the eastern ranges of the 3 Kings, Te Tarai o Rahiri and Maungakohatu.

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The river travels and twists through the districts of Waimatenui, Twin Bridges, Nukutawhiti, Pakotai, Parakao, on through Frasers Flat to Titoki and power station on Tokiri Road. It passes Houto and the Korokota Marae before joining the Wairua River below the Wairua Falls. The two rivers then form the mighty Wairoa, which starts in the shadow of the Tangihua Range and flows through Dargaville to enter the Kaipara Harbour. 

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Titoki District High took its name from the bountiful supply of Titoki trees which grew at that time on the slopes of what we now call the Titoki hill. 

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The area at the foot of the Titoki hill (including area up to the Douglas farm) to the Mangakahia River (including the school grounds) is known as Waiotomotomo.

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