Finlayson Park School
85 John Walker Drive, Manurewa · Auckland — South
Composite score
Established
Above median
Rank #904 of scored NZ schools
In summary
Finlayson Park School's culturally responsive learning environment enables students to learn through their language, culture and identity, with student achievement data showing an upward trend in reading and mathematics since 2015. The school has a redesigned curriculum supporting lifelong learner skills and strong collegial relationships, though ERO noted that school leaders do not always follow the board's policies and procedures for managing serious complaints.
Best suited for
Students in Manurewa looking for a state-funded setting with an established ERO profile.
Is Finlayson Park School a good school?
Finlayson Park School scores 73/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Above median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Culturally responsive learning environment that enables students to learn through their language, culture and identity
- Redesigned curriculum that supports students to develop skills to become lifelong learners
- Organisational conditions supporting a culture of collective responsibility and collegial relationships
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.
standdowns 1.7/1k · suspensions 0.0/1k · exclusions 0.0/1k · near band median (n=539) · why? ▼ hide
-7.6% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · below band median (n=524) · why? ▼ hide
72/100 from ERO review 2021-11 · near band median (n=544) · 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): 72/100.
Latest ERO review
2021-11-25 · Phillip Cowie, Northern Region – Te Tai Raki
- The culturally responsive learning environment enables students to learn through their language, culture and identity, promoting positive outcomes
- Since 2015, student achievement data indicate an upward trend for all groups in reading and mathematics
- School leaders do not always follow the board's policies and procedures for managing a serious complaint
- School leaders and trustees need to develop greater capability for implementing Child Protection policies to meet statutory health and safety responsibilities
- The redesigned curriculum supports students to develop skills to become lifelong learners
"Ko taku reo taku ohooho; Ko taku reo taku mapihi maurea' (My language is my awakening; my language is the window to my soul) underpins and drives all systems and practices"
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2015–2021. Click a point to read that review.
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
1.7
1 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~1.5
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
$8.62M
Per-student funding · 2022
$9,079
2018
$6.7M
2019
$7.4M
2020
$8.5M
2021
$8.3M
2022
$8.6M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 01 82
- Year 02 134
- Year 03 120
- Year 04 131
- Year 05 110
- Year 06 120
- Year 07 128
- Year 08 95
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- Pacific 69.8%
- Māori 34.4%
- Asian 10.4%
- European/Pākehā 4.7%
- Other / MELAA 1.3%
Location
85 John Walker Drive, Manurewa. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Finlayson Park School.
Taonga Education Centre
Teen Parent Unit · 0.5km · roll n/a
41
-32 vs this
Waimahia Intermediate School
Intermediate · 0.7km · 254 roll
74
+1 vs this
Rowandale School
Contributing · 0.9km · 631 roll
63
-10 vs this
Roscommon School
Contributing · 0.9km · 575 roll
65
-8 vs this
Te Matauranga
Contributing · 1.1km · 342 roll
77
+4 vs this
James Cook High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1.3km · 1,697 roll
54
-19 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Finlayson Park School a good school?
Finlayson Park School scores 73/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Above median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2021-11 review identified 5 key findings. The culturally responsive learning environment enables students to learn through their language, culture and identity, promoting positive outcomes
How do I enrol my child at Finlayson Park School?
Contact the school directly on 09-2665558 Ext 105, email office@finlaysonpark.school.nz, or visit www.finlaysonpark.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?
Finlayson Park School is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Finlayson Park School has 949 students, with an EQI of 519 (higher socio-economic need).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Finlayson Park School in 2021-11, signed by Phillip Cowie. 2 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
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz