HIBS was founded in 1991 as a private school, and was then known as Hutt Independent Boys' School, with Barry Kerr as principal. The school was briefly sited in Silverstream, Upper Hutt, on land that later became a rest home. However, due to the lease on the site expiring, the school moved to its present site in Trentham, Upper Hutt in 1994, on land previously owned by the Wellington Racing Club, which included the former Burma Lodge motel. The school also became state integrated the same year. The school has had many building projects on its current site, with major projects including the school gymnasium in 1996, the schools administration and ICT / Library block with first-floor classrooms in 2004, and the school auditorium and chapel, planned in 2004. Recently, the school undertook a new construction project which included the new Maths and Social Sciences classroom block, which is to be followed by new Visual Art rooms later in 2017. At the end of 2013, principal Grahame Duffy announced his resignation and was replaced by current principal Mike Hutchins in January 2014. Duffy had been the principal since 2002. The school has a unique 'special character' and is affiliated with the Anglican faith.
School life
House system
The school has operated a house system since 1996, similar to that used in English public schools. Each house is named after an iconic New Zealander: Freyberg, Halberg, Rutherford, and Hillary. These houses compete against each other in friendly competition for the house cup in a number of events throughout the year.
International service
The school runs an ′International Service′ programme, where each year a group of students complete service by helping others in less fortunate countries. The group of students perform tasks such as painting school buildings, installing computer systems, building facilities, improving drainage as well as learning about the culture of another country and interacting with its people. HIBS has performed International Service of countries such as Philippines, Mexico, Samoa, Vietnam, Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji.
Aviation
The school has an aviation programme, which it has run since 2000. The program allows for students to gain their private pilot licence before they leave school. As of 2017, the programme has had 24 graduates.
