Schools in Kawerau
Bay of Plenty · New Zealand
There are 5 schools in and around Kawerau (Bay of Plenty) — 2 primary, 2 secondary. Te Tari Ako Matua Taiohi Education Centre 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.
Schools in Kawerau 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.
- 1Te Tari Ako Matua Taiohi Education Centre
Kawerau · Teen Parent Unit · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →95
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention—Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review75 - View profile →
87
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention80Wellbeing100Trajectory84ERO review85 - View profile →
76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing93Trajectory50ERO review78 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing82Trajectory4ERO review83 - View profile →
41
/ 100 composite
Academic62Outcomes8Retention61Wellbeing0Trajectory55ERO review79
What the record says about Kawerau schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Te Whata Tau o Putauaki
Te Whata Tau o Putauaki is a composite school in Kawerau serving 80 students. ERO's 2015 review found students understand the importance of ūkaipōtanga and whakapapa to iwi knowledge, appreciate learning te reo Māori with kaumātua, and experience academic success through differentiated literacy and numeracy programmes. The school's strengths include inclusive leadership, a clear vision centred on Pūtauakitanga and te reo Māori, and structured language acquisition strategies. The school has a composite score of 85.
Full source-linked profile →Kawerau South School
Kawerau South School's 2022 ERO review identified valued partnerships with kuia and kaumatua supporting the mana and wairua of learners, staff and the community as a key strength. The school has collaborative leaders and staff committed to improving outcomes for all learners, with school values and a localised curriculum developed alongside mana whenua that prioritise strengthening identity and belonging.
Full source-linked profile →Kawerau Putauaki School
Kawerau Putauaki School's 2023 ERO review found that the school has established professional networks and systems supporting effective teaching and learning, with staff who are collaborative and committed to improving outcomes and hauora for all learners. The school has developed clear strategic planning for improvement in a collective manner. The school is currently subject to a limited statutory manager intervention by the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Tarawera High School
Tarawera High School's 2023 ERO review found a responsive, localised curriculum promoting equitable and accelerated outcomes, aligned with school vision and values. The school demonstrates strong leadership sustaining a culture of inclusiveness with focus on relational trust and cultural responsiveness, and leaders are engaged in professional knowledge building to enhance teaching effectiveness. The school achieved a composite score of 79.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Kawerau schools
What schools are in Kawerau?
Kawerau has 5 schools on our records (2 primary, 2 secondary): Te Whata Tau o Putauaki, Kawerau Putauaki School, Tarawera High School, Kawerau South School, Te Tari Ako Matua Taiohi Education Centre. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Kawerau?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Te Tari Ako Matua Taiohi Education Centre ranks highest among Kawerau schools (95/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Tarawera 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 Kawerau?
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 Kawerau 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 Kawerau address.
Decile or EQI — how are Kawerau 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).