Schools in Kaikoura
Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast · New Zealand
There are 5 schools in and around Kaikoura (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) — 4 primary, 1 secondary. St Joseph's School (Kaikōura) 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 Kaikoura schools by suburb
1 Kaikoura suburb has their own schools page.
Schools in Kaikoura 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 →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory55ERO review84 - View profile →
76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing79Trajectory72ERO review75 - View profile →
74
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory23ERO review84 - View profile →
53
/ 100 composite
Academic64Outcomes13Retention48Wellbeing100Trajectory52ERO review74
More schools in Kaikoura
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- Hāpuku School Full Primary · 16 students
What the record says about Kaikoura schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
St Joseph's School (Kaikōura)
St Joseph's School (Kaikōura) has an improvement-focused teaching team committed to developing culturally responsive practice, supported by collaborative leadership and an engaged community. The school has identified a need to strengthen parity for different groups of learners and continues to build teacher capability in culturally responsive teaching. The school is currently operating under limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Kaikōura Suburban School
Kaikōura Suburban School is a contributing school with a new principal appointed in Term 1 2023 and other leadership changes undertaken. The school has strategic priorities focused on collaborative practice, wellbeing, culturally responsive practice, and curriculum, with ongoing professional development for teachers in these areas. ERO and the school are evaluating how effectively school programmes are strengthening culturally responsive practices to enable equitable outcomes.
Full source-linked profile →Kaikōura High School
Kaikōura High School's 2023 board assurance review found the Board has met regulatory requirements across most areas. One non-compliance was identified regarding Police vetting procedures, which the Board has since addressed. Board administration, curriculum delivery, and health and safety management were confirmed as meeting requirements.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Kaikoura schools
What schools are in Kaikoura?
Kaikoura has 5 schools on our records (4 primary, 1 secondary): Kaikōura High School, Hāpuku School, Kaikōura Primary School, Kaikōura Suburban School, St Joseph's School (Kaikōura). Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Kaikoura?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Joseph's School (Kaikōura) ranks highest among Kaikoura schools (82/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Kaikoura?
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 Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura address.
Decile or EQI — how are Kaikoura 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).