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Schools in Taihape

Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand

There are 5 schools in and around Taihape (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 4 primary, 1 secondary. Taoroa 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.

Schools in Taihape 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.

  1. 1
    Taoroa School logo
    Taoroa School

    Taihape · Full Primary · 51 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)

    92

    / 100 composite

    View profile →
    Wellbeing
    100
    Trajectory
    100
    ERO review
    80
  2. 2
    Mataroa School logo
    Mataroa School

    Taihape · Full Primary · 58 students · EQI 450–474

    86

    / 100 composite

    View profile →
    Wellbeing
    100
    Trajectory
    100
    ERO review
    65
  3. 3
    St Joseph's School (Taihape) logo
    St Joseph's School (Taihape)

    Taihape · Full Primary · 94 students · EQI 420–449

    52

    / 100 composite

    View profile →
    Wellbeing
    86
    Trajectory
    14
    ERO review
    45
  4. 4
    Taihape Area School logo
    Taihape Area School

    Taihape · Composite · 250 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)

    40

    / 100 composite

    View profile →
    Academic
    51
    Outcomes
    6
    Retention
    59
    Wellbeing
    48
    Trajectory
    33
    ERO review
    74

More schools in Taihape

These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.

What the record says about Taihape schools

Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.

Mataroa School

Mataroa School is a full primary school in Taihape with a roll of 58 students. The Board's assurance review in October 2023 confirmed the school met all regulatory and legislative requirements, with board administration and curriculum requirements in place.

Full source-linked profile →

Taihape Area School

Taihape Area School's 2018 ERO review noted strong achievement in NCEA Levels 1 and 2, though fewer than half of Year 13 students achieved Level 3 NCEA and University Entrance. The school has developed a personalised, inquiry-based curriculum in partnership with whānau and community, with established values supporting student expectations. Achievement gaps exist for Māori and male students in writing and mathematics in junior years. The school is currently under limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.

Full source-linked profile →

Frequently asked questions about Taihape schools

What schools are in Taihape?

Taihape has 5 schools on our records (4 primary, 1 secondary): Taihape Area School, Mataroa School, Papanui Junction School, St Joseph's School (Taihape), Taoroa School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.

What is the best school in Taihape?

On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Taoroa School ranks highest among Taihape schools (92/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Taihape Area 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 Taihape?

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 Taihape 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 Taihape address.

Decile or EQI — how are Taihape 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).