Schools in Gisborne
Hawke's Bay & Gisborne · New Zealand
There are 38 schools in and around Gisborne (Hawke's Bay & Gisborne) — 24 primary, 2 intermediate, 10 secondary. Whangara School is the highest-scoring on the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite, which compares every school against its EQI peer group. Each profile is source-linked to Education Counts, ERO and the Ministry of Education.
38 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Gisborne schools by suburb
17 Gisborne suburbs have their own schools page.
- Schools in Elgin-Gisborne 2
- Schools in Kaiti 3
- Schools in Makaraka 1
- Schools in Mangapapa 1
- Schools in Muriwai 1
- Schools in Ormond 1
- Schools in Patutahi 1
- Schools in Rere 1
- Schools in Te Hapara 3
- Schools in Te Karaka 1
- Schools in Tikitiki 1
- Schools in Tolaga Bay 1
- Schools in Waerengaokuri 1
- Schools in Wainui 1
- Schools in Whangara 1
- Schools in Whatatutu 1
- Schools in Whataupoko 1
Top 30 schools in Gisborne ranked by value-added score
The SchoolsNearMe composite scores every level against its EQI peer group, so it surfaces schools that get the most out of their students — not just the most advantaged intake. How it's calculated.
- View profile →
91
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory87ERO review86 - 2Turanganui-A-Kiwa Activity Centre
Gisborne · Activity Centre · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →87
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review76 - View profile →
84
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory89ERO review66 - 4Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga
Te Hapara · Composite · 170 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention88Wellbeing100Trajectory49ERO review85 - View profile →
83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review57 - 6Waikirikiri School
Kaiti · Full Primary · 235 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory61ERO review81 - View profile →
81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory48ERO review84 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory36ERO review85 - 9Patutahi School
Patutahi · Full Primary · 84 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review42 - View profile →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing90Trajectory62ERO review75 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory27ERO review83 - 12Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou
Elgin-Gisborne · Composite · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →75
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention—Wellbeing—Trajectory—ERO review75 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory33ERO review75 - View profile →
72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing93Trajectory40ERO review74 - View profile →
72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory26ERO review76 - 16Waerenga-O-Kuri School
Waerengaokuri · Full Primary · 31 students · EQI 420–449
View profile →72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory17ERO review81 - View profile →
71
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing91Trajectory57ERO review62 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory23ERO review68 - View profile →
67
/ 100 composite
Academic79Outcomes46Retention83Wellbeing71Trajectory37ERO review85 - 20TKKM o Nga Uri A Maui
Gisborne · Composite · 218 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →67
/ 100 composite
Academic93Outcomes2Retention89Wellbeing100Trajectory79ERO review45 - View profile →
65
/ 100 composite
Academic77Outcomes40Retention79Wellbeing64Trajectory50ERO review83 - View profile →
64
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing44Trajectory63ERO review83 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory2ERO review65 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing80Trajectory32ERO review66 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing65Trajectory14ERO review77 - View profile →
56
/ 100 composite
Academic66Outcomes45Retention73Wellbeing23Trajectory51ERO review69 - 27Te Whare Whai Hua Teenage Parent Centre
Gisborne · Teen Parent Unit · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →55
/ 100 composite
Academic28Outcomes—Retention100Wellbeing100Trajectory0ERO review83 - View profile →
49
/ 100 composite
Academic53Outcomes3Retention44Wellbeing100Trajectory89ERO review72 - View profile →
44
/ 100 composite
Academic48Outcomes20Retention59Wellbeing59Trajectory46ERO review51 - 30Te Hapara School
Te Hapara · Contributing · 224 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →35
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory25ERO review71
More schools in Gisborne
The rest of Gisborne's schools — some scored, some without a composite score yet (often small rolls or limited scored data). Every one has a full source-linked profile.
- Ilminster Intermediate Intermediate · 298 students
- Te Karaka Area School Composite · 124 students
- Tūranga Tangata Rite Secondary (Year 9-15) · 31 students
- Riverdale School (Gisborne) Contributing · 138 students
- Te Kura o Māngātuna Full Primary · 24 students
- TKKM o Tapere-Nui-A-Whatonga Full Primary · 24 students
- Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu Full Primary · 20 students
- Ngatapa School Full Primary · 13 students
What the record says about Gisborne schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Turanganui-A-Kiwa Activity Centre
Turanganui-A-Kiwa Activity Centre achieved a composite score of 76 in its 2017 special review. The centre demonstrates strengths in transition processes and social-emotional wellbeing support through the Mana Potential framework, with almost all students successfully progressing to school, further education or employment. Attendance rates remain below target, though recent improvements have been noted.
Full source-linked profile →Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga received a regular ERO review in January 2025 with a composite score of 85. The school is noted for developing students' confidence, self-discipline and leadership qualities, with kaiako providing strong te reo Māori language role models. Key strengths include positive behaviour nurtured through daily wānanga practices, the tuākana-taina peer support model, and strong integration of marae protocols with support from kaumātua and kuia.
Full source-linked profile →Mangapapa School
Mangapapa School received a Te Ara Huarau review in March 2023. The ERO found that school leaders demonstrate clear understanding of their roles with decision-making aligned to priorities, and that leadership continually adapts strategy to deliver on school goals. The school maintains a positive and inclusive culture that builds relational trust and teacher agency, with a composite score of 85.
Full source-linked profile →Makauri School
Makauri School's most recent ERO review (November 2024) found that most learners progress and achieve at appropriate curriculum levels in reading, writing and mathematics, with many working above. Learners with additional learning needs are well supported. Leadership actively fosters high quality teaching, and teachers use assessment information well to meet individual learner needs. Overall student attendance is slightly below Ministry targets, with Years 1 and 2 attendance requiring improvement.
Full source-linked profile →Awapuni School (Gisborne)
Awapuni School's October 2024 ERO review found that most students meet curriculum expectations in mathematics, though reading and writing achievement is lower, with Māori students showing lower writing outcomes. Attendance remains below Ministry targets at less than half of students attending regularly. The school demonstrates effective transition processes, strong teacher-student relationships, and improving consistency in reading instruction, with a composite score of 62.
Full source-linked profile →Gisborne Girls' High School
Gisborne Girls' High School is a secondary school in Te Hapara serving 657 students. The school's 2023 ERO board assurance review found Board Administration, Curriculum, and Health, Safety and Welfare as compliant areas. A gap was identified in the child protection policy regarding how suspected neglect and abuse will be identified, though the Board has taken steps to address this non-compliance. The school is currently subject to a limited statutory manager intervention by the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Campion College
Campion College's Board of Trustees has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements in board administration, curriculum, and health, safety and welfare management, as confirmed in a 2023 board assurance review. No composite score data is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Elgin School
Elgin School is a small primary school (roll: 39) serving Years 1-6 in Gisborne with strategic priorities focused on developing confident learners, strengthening home-school relationships, and embedding Te Ao Māori perspectives. The ERO review (October 2023) identified collaborative staff commitment to improving outcomes, strong promotion of manaaki values throughout the school, and valued integration of te reo and tikanga Māori across the school community.
Full source-linked profile →Gisborne Intermediate
Gisborne Intermediate serves 530 students and received a regular ERO review in July 2024 with a composite score of 66. Most learners achieve at expected curriculum levels in reading and maths, though the school prioritises reducing achievement gaps between different student groups and improving attendance rates, which remain below Ministry targets. Leadership and professional learning are aligned to improvement goals, and students experience positive learning environments with strengthening school culture.
Full source-linked profile →Gisborne Boys' High School
The Education Review Office conducted a board assurance review in November 2023. The Board attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of November 2022, with Board Administration and Curriculum requirements confirmed. No composite score is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Sonrise Christian School
Sonrise Christian School's 2024 ERO review found the majority of learners achieve at expected curriculum levels in mathematics, reading and writing, though inequity exists for Māori students and boys in Years 1 to 10. The school provides good support for students with additional learning needs in an inclusive environment and has well-established partnerships with whānau, hapū and iwi. The school's composite score is 72.
Full source-linked profile →Lytton High School
Lytton High School's 2024 ERO Board Assurance review found the board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across Board Administration, Curriculum, Health/Safety/Welfare, Personnel Management, Finance, and Assets. Non-compliance was identified regarding police vetting not being obtained on or about every third anniversary as required; the board has taken steps to address this.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Gisborne schools
What schools are in Gisborne?
Gisborne has 38 schools on our records (24 primary, 2 intermediate, 10 secondary): Lytton High School, Gisborne Boys' High School, Gisborne Girls' High School, Campion College, Te Karaka Area School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga, Tūranga Tangata Rite, Sonrise Christian School, TKKM o Nga Uri A Maui, Awapuni School (Gisborne), Elgin School, Gisborne Central School, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Gisborne?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Whangara School ranks highest among Gisborne schools (91/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Gisborne Girls' High School leads the local secondary schools. "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Gisborne?
Many New Zealand state schools operate an enrolment zone (home zone), so your home address — not just the suburb — determines which in-zone state schools you can enrol at. Living in Gisborne does not guarantee a place at any particular school. Check each school's current zone with the school directly or use our by-address tool to see which schools cover a specific Gisborne address.
Decile or EQI — how are Gisborne schools rated for socio-economic need?
New Zealand replaced the decile system with the Equity Index (EQI) in 2023. A lower EQI means a more socio-economically advantaged community; a higher EQI means greater need. EQI is a funding tool, not a quality measure — a high-EQI school can outperform a low-EQI one. The SchoolsNearMe composite controls for EQI so a school serving a more disadvantaged community isn't unfairly penalised.
Source data: Education Counts (NCEA, retention, destinations, discipline, funding) · Ministry of Education (roll, EQI, identity) · Education Review Office (reviews).