Schools in Takaka
Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast · New Zealand
There are 4 schools in and around Takaka (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) — 3 primary, 1 secondary. Motupipi 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.
4 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Takaka 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 →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing66Trajectory75ERO review70 - View profile →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory32ERO review67 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Academic86Outcomes19Retention80Wellbeing72Trajectory41ERO review73 - View profile →
53
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing42Trajectory46ERO review68
What the record says about Takaka schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Motupipi School
Motupipi School's board assurance review in November 2024 confirmed the board has met all regulatory and legislative requirements as of March 2024, with board administration and curriculum requirements verified. No composite score is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Takaka Primary School
Takaka Primary School's new leadership team has analysed achievement and wellbeing data to identify opportunities for improvement. The school has developed tools to clarify culturally responsive practice for teachers and staff are engaged in professional development for culturally responsive practices and structured literacy in both English and te reo Māori. The school's composite score is 67.
Full source-linked profile →Golden Bay High School
Golden Bay High School's February 2025 board assurance review found the board had attested to meeting regulatory requirements across all six key areas as of November 2024. Two areas of non-compliance were identified relating to policy review for safe environments and child protection policy; the board has since addressed both. The school is currently subject to limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Central Takaka School
Central Takaka School's 2024 ERO review found increasingly equitable outcomes with most students succeeding in reading, writing and mathematics. The school has strong partnerships with iwi to deliver culturally responsive, place-based learning, and a relational culture supporting student wellbeing. Key areas for development include raising boys' achievement in writing, while students with specific learning needs receive well-targeted support.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Takaka schools
What schools are in Takaka?
Takaka has 4 schools on our records (3 primary, 1 secondary): Golden Bay High School, Motupipi School, Central Takaka School, Takaka Primary School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Takaka?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Motupipi School ranks highest among Takaka schools (70/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Golden Bay 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 Takaka?
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 Takaka 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 Takaka address.
Decile or EQI — how are Takaka 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).