Aotea College
Okowai Road, Porirua · Wellington
Composite score
Established
Above median
Rank #832 of scored NZ schools
In summary
Aotea College's 2023 ERO review of its international student provision found effective pastoral care processes, established systems for stakeholder voice, and thorough induction and support documentation. International students report feeling heard and supported. The school has a composite score of 85.
Best suited for
Students aged 13-18 in Porirua looking for a state-funded setting with an established ERO profile.
Is Aotea College a good school?
Aotea College scores 74/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Above median nationally. ERO trajectory is improving across recent review cycles. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Effective processes for reviewing pastoral care provision for international students
- Established systems for collecting and responding to stakeholder voice
- Thorough documentation for induction and ongoing support
Summary derived from ERO reports + audited financials + MoE records. Every claim links to its source — see data transparency at the bottom of this page.
Score breakdown
6 axes, each scored 0–100 on a national absolute scale. As at 2025.
L1 88% · L2 82% · UE 66% · below band median (n=81) · why? ▼ hide
Uni 29% · Te Pūkenga 12% · Industry 10% · near band median (n=77) · why? ▼ hide
81% to Y13 · bottom quartile of band (n=84) · why? ▼ hide
standdowns 14.7/1k · suspensions 2.4/1k · exclusions 0.0/1k · near band median (n=518) · why? ▼ hide
+25.9% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · top quartile of band (n=515) · why? ▼ hide
85/100 from ERO review 2023-11 · top quartile of band (n=520) · why? ▼ hide
⚠ Insufficient EQI-band peers (n<10) to compute per-axis percentile context. The score above is absolute; treat it as a single-school read rather than a peer comparison.
Real ERO composite (from the latest review): 85/100.
Latest ERO review
2023-11-30 · Shelley Booysen, ERO
- The school has effective processes for reviewing its provision of pastoral care for international students, including established systems for collecting and responding to stakeholder voice
- Aotea College has thorough documentation providing informative induction and ongoing support for students, families and homestays
- International students feel their voices are listened and responded to
- The International Student department is well resourced with experienced staff to support a caring and holistic approach to student wellbeing and success
- The school values the diversity international students bring to the school and local community
"Aotea College has effective processes for reviewing its provision of pastoral care for international students, including established systems for collecting and responding to stakeholder voice."
Composite score across reviews
4 ERO reviews on file, 2016–2023. Click a point to read that review.
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
Aotea College made measurable progress on equity between 2016 and 2020. In 2016, the school had not yet achieved equitable results for Māori and Pacific students despite it being a strategic priority. By 2020, the school had demonstrably reduced disparities, with data showing that "disparity in NCEA achievement for Māori and Pacific students in relation to New Zealand European students, and boys in relation to girls, has been reducing over time."
2016-10 → 2020-08 diff source
Aotea College improved its approach to Māori achievement between 2016 and 2020. While the 2016 report noted that 'equitable results have not yet been achieved' despite strong cultural commitment, the 2020 report demonstrated concrete progress, showing that 'disparity in NCEA achievement for Māori and Pacific students in relation to New Zealand European students...has been reducing over time' and that 'School data shows the school positively accelerated learning and progress of Years 9 and 10 Māori and other priority students in mathematics, reading and science.'
2016-10 → 2020-08 diff source
Between 2020 and 2023, Aotea College's approach to Māori achievement shifted from demonstrating concrete progress in accelerating learning outcomes for Māori students in specific subjects to emphasizing inclusive systems and cultural partnership frameworks. The 2020 report cited measurable acceleration of "Years 9 and 10 Māori and other priority students in mathematics, reading and science," while the 2023 report reframed priorities toward ensuring "te Ao Māori and the Māori language is a known and valued part of the shared identity," suggesting a pivot from achievement metrics to cultural integration.
2020-08 → 2023-11 diff source
Aotea College demonstrated substantial improvement in overall achievement between 2016 and 2020. The 2016 report noted NCEA results "above schools of similar type and schools nationally," while the 2020 report confirmed "Improvement in overall achievement levels has continued since 2016, with most students achieving NCEA Levels 1 and 2, and a large majority achieving NCEA Level 3." Additionally, equity gaps narrowed significantly, with "Disparity in NCEA achievement for Māori and Pacific students in relation to New Zealand European students, and boys in relation to girls, has been reducing over time."
2016-10 → 2020-08 diff source
Teaching practice improved significantly between 2016 and 2020. In 2016, ERO identified that "teachers' use of assessment information in departmental and class planning" was "an identified area for continued development." By 2020, this had been addressed, with ERO noting that "teachers effectively support learning with agreed, responsive approaches" and that "leaders effectively work collaboratively with trustees" to ensure inclusive curriculum delivery.
2016-10 → 2020-08 diff source
NCEA achievement
School leavers with NCEA at each level. National average is ~85% (Level 1).
NCEA Level 1 · 2024
88.1%
185 of 210 leavers
-3.9pt vs prior year
NCEA Level 2 · 2024
81.9%
172 of 210 leavers
-3.5pt vs prior year
University Entrance · 2024
66.2%
139 of 210 leavers
+14.3pt vs prior year
Data: Ministry of Education / Education Counts, CC-BY-4.0
Stay-on rate
Percentage of students who stay at school until at least their 17th birthday — the standard NZ proxy for Year-9-to-Year-13 retention.
81.0%
2024 cohort · 210 students
-5.3pt vs 2023
Discipline (age-standardised, per 1,000 students)
Stand-down = sent home temporarily. Suspension = formal investigation. Exclusion = removed from school. National averages shown for comparison.
Stand-downs · 2024
14.7
30 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
2.4
6 this year · NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~1.5
Vocational Pathway Awards
School leavers achieving Vocational Pathway Awards by industry sector (2024).
- Service Industries 7
- Construction and Infrastructure 5
- Creative Industries 4
Government funding
Crown funding only (school operations + teacher salaries + property). Excludes locally-raised funds, international fees and trading income — those are in the audited financial report above.
Total Crown funding · 2022
$11.19M
Per-student funding · 2022
$8,561
2018
$19.3M
2019
$25.2M
2020
$13.1M
2021
$11.7M
2022
$11.2M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 09 283
- Year 10 274
- Year 11 304
- Year 12 246
- Year 13+ 221
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- European/Pākehā 67.1%
- Māori 22.3%
- Pacific 20.7%
- Asian 12.1%
- Other / MELAA 4.9%
- International 1.3%
International students
SIEBA member · Day school only
Years accepted
9-13
Location
Okowai Road, Porirua. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Aotea College.
Titahi Bay Intermediate
Intermediate · 1.6km · 181 roll
66
-8 vs this
Rangikura School
Full Primary · 1.7km · 377 roll
79
+5 vs this
Porirua School
Contributing · 1.7km · 157 roll
83
+9 vs this
Porirua East School
Contributing · 1.7km · 153 roll
84
+10 vs this
Holy Family School (Porirua)
Contributing · 1.7km · 168 roll
65
-9 vs this
Papakowhai School
Full Primary · 1.7km · 505 roll
70
-4 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Aotea College a good school?
Aotea College scores 74/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Above median nationally. ERO trajectory is improving across recent review cycles. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2023-11 review identified 5 key findings. The school has effective processes for reviewing its provision of pastoral care for international students, including established systems for collecting and responding to stakeholder voice
How do I enrol my child at Aotea College?
Contact the school directly on 04-2373166, email enquiries@aotea.school.nz, or visit www.aotea.school.nz. For state schools, check your home address against the school's enrolment zone — some schools are in-zone-only.
What are the fees?
Aotea College is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Aotea College has 1,307 students, with an EQI of 441 (mid-range socio-economic context).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Aotea College in 2023-11, signed by Shelley Booysen. 5 ERO reports are on file in our archive.
Data transparency
Every fact on this page links to its source. We never publish a claim without provenance — read our methodology for the full rules.
Sourced from
- ero.govt.nz
- sieba.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- international.aotea.school.nz
- crimestats.co.nz