Waipipi is said to have been named after the bank of pipi shells along the harbourside.Early records from May 1865 report that " Waipipi settlement....is progressing rapidly. The settlers have their homes finished and are now busily engaged in fencing and preparing the land for seed. A school is established and conducted by a very competent teacher. The school house is not yet erected, but will be commenced immediately."
Later records tell us that the 'new' Waipipi School building officially opened in 1874 having been built at a cost of 73 pounds, with a roll of about 30 pupils.
(information from 'Of Pigeons and Pipis' 1999)