Schools in Hokitika
Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast · New Zealand
There are 5 schools in and around Hokitika (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) — 4 primary, 1 secondary. Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi 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.
5 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Hokitika schools by suburb
1 Hokitika suburb has their own schools page.
Schools in Hokitika 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 →
86
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory70ERO review83 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing57Trajectory36ERO review82 - View profile →
51
/ 100 composite
Academic74Outcomes22Retention76Wellbeing0Trajectory67ERO review54 - View profile →
47
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing14Trajectory66ERO review65 - View profile →
44
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory63ERO review71
What the record says about Hokitika schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School
Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School's September 2024 ERO review found most students achieve at or above expected curriculum levels in writing and mathematics, with a large majority meeting expected standards in reading. Outcomes are increasingly equitable across student groups, and learners report a sense of belonging. School leaders and teachers use evidence-based strategies and have established effective systems to support high aspirations for student achievement and wellbeing, with a composite score of 83.
Full source-linked profile →St Mary's School (Hokitika)
St Mary's School (Hokitika) is a full primary school with 126 students. The Board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across all six domains as of November 2022. The school is currently subject to active limited statutory manager intervention by the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Westland High School
Westland High School, located in Hokitika, serves 380 Year 7-15 students. The school has a limited statutory manager intervention currently active. ERO's December 2024 review found that learning outcomes are becoming more equitable through wellbeing initiatives, with most learners achieving NCEA levels, though work continues to address disparities in Māori learner achievement. The school has strengthened academic tracking to identify at-risk learners, offers personalised pathways aligned to student aspirations, and provides leadership opportunities for students. The school's composite score is 54.
Full source-linked profile →Hokitika Primary School
Hokitika Primary School's board has attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of February 2024, with confirmed compliance in board administration, curriculum, and health and safety management. Following a 2023 excursion incident, the school commissioned an independent investigation into Education Outside the Classroom policies, with a WorkSafe investigation ongoing. The school is currently subject to a limited statutory manager intervention by the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Kaniere School
Kaniere School's Board of Trustees confirmed in their 2024 board assurance review that regulatory, legislative, and curriculum requirements were met as of September 2022. The school had no composite ERO score assigned for this review period. No active Ministry of Education intervention was in place.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Hokitika schools
What schools are in Hokitika?
Hokitika has 5 schools on our records (4 primary, 1 secondary): Westland High School, Hokitika Primary School, Kaniere School, Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School, St Mary's School (Hokitika). Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Hokitika?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School ranks highest among Hokitika schools (86/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Westland 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 Hokitika?
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 Hokitika 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 Hokitika address.
Decile or EQI — how are Hokitika 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).