Otahuhu College opened in 1931 as the Otahuhu Junior High School, catering for forms one to three students. In 1933, it became known as the Otahuhu Technical High School, with a capacity to cater for students through to senior levels of study. In 1947, it was renamed Otahuhu College.

In 1932, the school was divided into houses: Grey, Hobson, Massey and Seddon. This division originally for inter-house activities which is still the case but cultural activities have also been included as house based activities.

Always changing to meet the needs of the community, of which it is an integral part, Otahuhu College is widely respected for its strong academic, sporting and cultural achievements and it is proud of its continuing links with the people of South Auckland.

Otahuhu College has become a culturally diverse secondary school with a maximum student roll of approximately 1,400. The school provides for a wide variety of educational courses and learning approaches to cater for the diverse needs of its students.