Hira

Happy Valley was the name given to this locality by the surveyors although the Maori name had been Te Huinga Wai. The name of Happy Valley stuck and was only replaced in 1912 when the Post Office was established and the named changed back to Hira. The original Maori name meant 'the kissing waters' or 'meeting of the waters', and the area is said to have been the bed of an ancient lake. Flaxmilling was carried on in 1843 and some settlers were apparently then in residence. Families well known in the area would include the names of Close, Harvey, Blanchett, Flower, Withers, Westley, Packer, page 20Brown and Humphreys. Stephen Close and his wife arrived in Nelson by the "Mary Ann" in 1842.

A school for Happy Valley was suggested early in 1871 when it was stated that there were 16 families and 49 children in Happy Valley, many of whom were unable to attend the Hillside School on account of its distance. A site was chosen on Mr. Close's land and a school building was erected and, although not finished, was opened for classes in April, 1872. The teacher worked five days a week teaching from 9 o'clock to noon at Happy Valley and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Hillside.