Te Wharekura o Mauao
1 Westmorland Rise, Bethlehem · Bay of Plenty
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Composite score
Developing
Below median
Rank #1,729 of scored NZ schools
In summary
Te Wharekura o Mauao's 2023 ERO review found that uri confidently demonstrate their identity through learning rooted in kōrero tuku iho of local iwi, with strong relationships between the kura, whānau, hapū and iwi. Strengths include meaningful learning experiences affirming uri identity, clear understanding of mana whenua responsibilities, and consistent tikanga practices. The school has a composite score of 84.
Best suited for
Students aged 13-18 in Bethlehem looking for a state-funded setting.
Is Te Wharekura o Mauao a good school?
Te Wharekura o Mauao scores 57/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. ERO trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Uri identity is affirmed through meaningful learning experiences rich in kōrero tuku iho, with learning authentically embedded in their whakapapa
- Uri understand their roles and responsibilities as mana whenua and participate confidently in formal tikanga situations
- Karakia, maramataka and hohou te rongo are consistent practices to prepare uri for learning
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 97% · L2 89% · UE 62% · top 10% of band (n=142) · why? ▼ hide
Uni 5% · Te Pūkenga 5% · Industry 0% · above band median (n=123) · why? ▼ hide
84% to Y13 · above band median (n=166) · why? ▼ hide
standdowns 60.2/1k · suspensions 7.4/1k · exclusions 2.2/1k · below band median (n=539) · why? ▼ hide
+18.5% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · above band median (n=524) · why? ▼ hide
84/100 from ERO review 2023-05 · top 10% of band (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): 84/100.
Latest ERO review
2023-05-18 · Rita Walker, Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services
- Uri confidently demonstrate 'He uri whai tukuihotanga' as they learn, apply and share kōrero tuku iho of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi me Ngāti Pukenga
- The kura has strong relationships with iwi representatives and links into the local community, with uri learning to be kaitiaki of te taiao
- The poumarumaru and senior leadership team work collaboratively in the best interests of uri, whānau, hapū and iwi, with leadership ensuring mātauranga Māori, kōrero tuku iho and iwi aspirations are embedded in the curriculum
- End of 2022 NCEA achievement outcomes show uri generally achieved well at Levels 1, 2 and 3, with Year 13 data showing 100% achieved Level 3
- Key areas for improvement include development of assessment practices for Years 7-10 and review of the strategic plan to identify priorities for development
"Uri identity is affirmed through meaningful learning experiences rich in Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai te Rangi and Ngāti Pukenga kōrero tuku iho. Their learning is based within contexts that are authentically embedded in their whakapapa."
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2015–2023. Click a point to read that review.
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
Both reports demonstrate strong Māori achievement, but the 2023 report shows a slight decline in overall score (90 to 82) while providing more specific NCEA outcome data. The 2015 report emphasized broad tauira success and engagement across multiple dimensions, while the 2023 report highlights strong Year 13 NCEA results (100% at Level 3) but identifies assessment practice development for Years 7-10 as a key area for improvement.
2015-12 → 2023-05 diff source
Both reports affirm strong teaching grounded in iwi and hapū knowledge with authentic learning experiences. The 2015 report emphasizes deliberate planning of meaningful projects and kaiako passion for collaborative teaching, while the 2023 report highlights consistent ritual practices (karakia, maramataka, hohou te rongo) to prepare uri for learning and notes an identified need to develop assessment practices for Years 7-10.
2015-12 → 2023-05 diff source
Both reports rate leadership as effective, but the framing evolved from emphasizing the principal's individual visionary and coaching style (2015) to highlighting collaborative leadership with the poumarumaru and senior leadership team (2023). The 2023 report uses more te ao Māori terminology and emphasizes collective decision-making 'in the best interests of uri, whānau, hapū and iwi,' though the overall quality rating slightly declined from 90 to 85.
2015-12 → 2023-05 diff source
Both reports affirm strong wellbeing support, but the focus shifted from explicit 'wrap-around support systems for tauira wellbeing and safety' in 2015 to an emphasis on cultural identity affirmation and consistent tikanga practices (karakia, maramataka, hohou te rongo) in 2023. The overall wellbeing score declined slightly from 90 to 85, suggesting some areas require attention despite maintained strengths.
2015-12 → 2023-05 diff source
Both reports affirm curriculum deeply rooted in iwi and hapū knowledge with authentic, meaningful learning experiences. The 2015 report emphasizes "deep embedment of iwi and hapū knowledge in curriculum with traditions, tikanga and kawa embedded," while the 2023 report shifts focus to uri identity affirmation through "kōrero tuku iho" specifically of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi and Ngāti Pukenga, with explicit whakapapa-based contexts. The 2023 report identifies assessment practices for Years 7-10 as an area for improvement, whereas the 2015 report highlighted existing strengths in curriculum delivery without flagging developmental needs.
2015-12 → 2023-05 diff source
NCEA achievement
School leavers with NCEA at each level. National average is ~85% (Level 1).
NCEA Level 1 · 2024
97.3%
36 of 37 leavers
+1.1pt vs prior year
NCEA Level 2 · 2024
89.2%
33 of 37 leavers
+0.5pt vs prior year
University Entrance · 2024
62.2%
23 of 37 leavers
-9.5pt 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.
83.8%
2024 cohort · 37 students
+2.7pt 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
60.2
28 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
7.4
4 this year · NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
2.2
1 this year · NZ avg ~1.5
Vocational Pathway Awards
School leavers achieving Vocational Pathway Awards by industry sector (2024).
- Service Industries 4
- Creative Industries 3
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
$3.96M
Per-student funding · 2022
$14,142
2018
$3.0M
2019
$3.1M
2020
$3.8M
2021
$4.2M
2022
$4.0M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 07 20
- Year 08 27
- Year 09 57
- Year 10 57
- Year 11 63
- Year 12 47
- Year 13+ 23
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- Māori 98.9%
- Pacific 9.3%
- European/Pākehā 6.1%
- Asian 0.4%
Location
1 Westmorland Rise, Bethlehem. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Te Wharekura o Mauao.
Bethlehem School
Contributing · 0.1km · 440 roll
70
+13 vs this
Bethlehem College
Composite · 1.5km · 2,050 roll
77
+20 vs this
Te Kura o Manunui
Contributing · 1.8km · 347 roll
45
-12 vs this
Bellevue School (Tauranga)
Contributing · 1.9km · 332 roll
39
-18 vs this
Ōtūmoetai College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 2.2km · 1,961 roll
69
+12 vs this
Tauranga Adventist School
Full Primary · 2.4km · 120 roll
75
+18 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Te Wharekura o Mauao a good school?
Te Wharekura o Mauao scores 57/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. ERO trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2023-05 review identified 5 key findings. Uri confidently demonstrate 'He uri whai tukuihotanga' as they learn, apply and share kōrero tuku iho of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi me Ngāti Pukenga
How do I enrol my child at Te Wharekura o Mauao?
Contact the school directly on 07-5793060, email admin@mauao.school.nz, or visit www.mauao.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?
Te Wharekura o Mauao is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Te Wharekura o Mauao has 280 students, with an EQI of 522 (higher socio-economic need).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Te Wharekura o Mauao in 2023-05, signed by Rita Walker. 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