Waimataitai School
25 Trafalgar Street, Timaru · Canterbury
Composite score
Developing
Below median
Rank #2,181 of scored NZ schools
In summary
Waimataitai School is a full primary school in Timaru with a roll of 506 students. The 2018 ERO review found most students achieved at or above school expectations in reading and mathematics, with targeted responses effectively reducing in-school disparity for some groups. The school demonstrates a school-wide focus on equity and excellence, supported by experienced leadership and effective processes that create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Best suited for
Students aged 5-11 in Timaru looking for a state-funded setting.
Is Waimataitai School a good school?
Waimataitai School scores 42/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- School-wide focus on equity and excellence
- Effective school-wide processes and practices that build and sustain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students
- Experienced and effective leadership and governance
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 115.9/1k · suspensions 4.0/1k · exclusions 4.1/1k · bottom quartile of band (n=404) · why? ▼ hide
-3.7% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · near band median (n=403) · why? ▼ hide
78/100 from ERO review 2018-06 · near band median (n=406) · 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): 78/100.
Latest ERO review
2018-06-18 · Lesley Patterson, Te Waipounamu - Southern Region
- Most students have achieved at or above school expectations for reading and mathematics over the last three years
- Specific and targeted responses to accelerate progress have been effective in reducing in-school disparity for some groups of learners
- The school continues to be a high performing school using coherent processes and practices that promote equity and excellence
- Almost all students demonstrate the WAI Learner attributes (respect, motivation, curiosity, reflection, team player) in and around school daily
- Attendance rates have improved as a result of the school's deliberate focus over the last two years
"Over the last three years most students have achieved at or above the school's expectations for reading and mathematics. The majority of students have achieved at or above the writing expectations."
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2014–2018. Click a point to read that review.
Audited financials
Year ended 2023 · Audit opinion: unmodified
Total revenue
$4.68M
Surplus / (deficit)
+$169k
Net assets / equity
$1.17M
3 years of audited data on file · View full history (Pro)
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
115.9
41 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
4.0
1 this year · NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
4.1
1 this year · 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
$3.53M
Per-student funding · 2022
$6,979
2018
$2.5M
2019
$2.7M
2020
$3.4M
2021
$3.8M
2022
$3.5M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 01 45
- Year 02 57
- Year 03 45
- Year 04 56
- Year 05 54
- Year 06 80
- Year 07 85
- Year 08 66
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- European/Pākehā 58.7%
- Māori 15.4%
- Asian 15.4%
- Pacific 9.9%
- Other / MELAA 7.3%
Location
25 Trafalgar Street, Timaru. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Waimataitai School.
Craighead Diocesan School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · 1km · 415 roll
80
+38 vs this
Oceanview Heights School
Full Primary · 1.1km · 109 roll
52
+10 vs this
Bluestone School
Full Primary · 1.5km · 493 roll
43
+1 vs this
St Joseph's School (Timaru)
Full Primary · 1.5km · 227 roll
81
+39 vs this
Timaru Boys' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1.5km · 767 roll
68
+26 vs this
Grantlea Downs School
Full Primary · 1.5km · 317 roll
40
-2 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Waimataitai School a good school?
Waimataitai School scores 42/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2018-06 review identified 6 key findings. Most students have achieved at or above school expectations for reading and mathematics over the last three years
How do I enrol my child at Waimataitai School?
Contact the school directly on 03-6845566, email office@waimataitai.school.nz, or visit www.waimataitai.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?
Waimataitai School is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Waimataitai School has 506 students, with an EQI of 464 (mid-range socio-economic context).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Waimataitai School in 2018-06, signed by Lesley Patterson. 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
- waimataitai.school.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz