Schools in Opunake
Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand
There are 4 schools in and around Opunake (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 3 primary, 1 secondary. St Joseph's School (Opunake) 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.
4 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Opunake 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 →
85
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing83Trajectory93ERO review82 - View profile →
65
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing68Trajectory29ERO review84 - View profile →
55
/ 100 composite
Academic83Outcomes22Retention77Wellbeing4Trajectory56ERO review81
More schools in Opunake
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- TKKM o Tamarongo Full Primary · 27 students
What the record says about Opunake 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 (Opunake)
St Joseph's School's 2020 ERO review found student achievement trends from 2017 to 2019 showed purposeful promotion of equity and excellence, with over a third of students achieving above expectation in mathematics and close to half in reading by end of 2019. Strengths included a localised curriculum aligned to New Zealand Curriculum principles, inclusive practices supporting students with complex needs, and teacher capability building. The school currently has an active limited statutory manager appointment.
Full source-linked profile →Opunake School
Opunake School's 2023 ERO review identified positive classroom environments that encourage purposeful student engagement, comprehensive support systems for learners with additional and complex needs, and collaborative staff practice supported by professional learning and development. The school's strengths include strong coordination of support services with robust tracking and monitoring, and shared implementation of strategies to support learner success.
Full source-linked profile →Opunake High School
Opunake High School has clear strategic intent to improve literacy schoolwide through aligned school systems and planned professional learning. The school has internal expertise available to lead and embed effective literacy practices across the school. An ERO review in January 2023 confirmed these strengths.
Full source-linked profile →TKKM o Tamarongo
The 2017 ERO review found concerns with students' academic achievement and the reliability of achievement information. Despite being a Māori medium kura, te reo Māori is not the language of instruction, with only five children using it conversationally. Professional leadership was identified as ineffective, with the principal unable to demonstrate understanding of key responsibilities. Strengths included students' happiness and interim support practices for families in need. Composite score: 20.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Opunake schools
What schools are in Opunake?
Opunake has 4 schools on our records (3 primary, 1 secondary): Opunake High School, Opunake School, St Joseph's School (Opunake), TKKM o Tamarongo. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Opunake?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Joseph's School (Opunake) ranks highest among Opunake schools (85/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Opunake 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 Opunake?
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 Opunake 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 Opunake address.
Decile or EQI — how are Opunake 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).