Schools in Ōtaki
Wellington · New Zealand
There are 7 schools in and around Ōtaki (Wellington) — 4 primary, 3 secondary. Waitohu 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.
7 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Ōtaki 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 →
75
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory40ERO review75 - View profile →
69
/ 100 composite
Academic97Outcomes2Retention100Wellbeing100Trajectory47ERO review76 - View profile →
55
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing42Trajectory35ERO review79 - View profile →
53
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes6Retention82Wellbeing100Trajectory53ERO review90 - View profile →
52
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory78ERO review81 - View profile →
50
/ 100 composite
Academic69Outcomes23Retention71Wellbeing27Trajectory33ERO review81
More schools in Ōtaki
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- St Peter Chanel School (Otaki) Full Primary · 15 students
What the record says about Ōtaki schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
TKKM o Te Rito
TKKM o Te Rito's 2020 ERO review found te reo Māori and tikanga are embedded across the kura, with whānau actively engaged in education and leadership decisions. Kaiako provide holistic support to whānau beyond individual children. The school achieved a composite score of 90.
Full source-linked profile →Otaki College
Otaki College's 2023 ERO review found strong leadership and learning partnerships supporting school goals. The school has long-standing, meaningful partnerships with local iwi and education providers, and is leveraging digital progress from Covid lockdowns to embed learning platforms and technologies in teaching practices.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Ōtaki schools
What schools are in Ōtaki?
Ōtaki has 7 schools on our records (4 primary, 3 secondary): Otaki College, Otaki School, St Peter Chanel School (Otaki), Te Horo School (Otaki), Waitohu School, Te Kura ā Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, TKKM o Te Rito. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Ōtaki?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Waitohu School ranks highest among Ōtaki schools (75/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Otaki College 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 Ōtaki?
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 Ōtaki 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 Ōtaki address.
Decile or EQI — how are Ōtaki 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).