Schools in Tawhero
Whanganui · Taranaki & Manawatū
There are 2 schools in and around Tawhero, Whanganui (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 1 intermediate. Arahunga 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.
2 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Tawhero 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 →
93
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review83 - 2Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School
Tawhero · Intermediate · 142 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →25
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory23ERO review49
What the record says about Tawhero schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Arahunga School
Arahunga School is a specialist school serving 109 students in Tawhero, Whanganui. The school's 2024 ERO review found that transdisciplinary knowledge of learners is consistently evident in planning, leadership establishes clear strategic direction supporting improvement, and systems effectively respond to holistic needs of learners and whānau. The school achieved a composite score of 83.
Full source-linked profile →Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School
The school has a composite score of 49. ERO found that a small number of learners achieve at expected curriculum levels in reading, writing and mathematics, and attendance is below Ministry targets at less than half of students attending regularly. Strengths include learners' strong sense of belonging and wellbeing, with leaders taking steps to coordinate curriculum planning and staff establishing shared assessment practices. The school is currently under limited statutory manager intervention.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Tawhero schools
What schools are in Tawhero?
Tawhero, Whanganui has 2 schools on our records (1 intermediate): Arahunga School, Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Tawhero?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Arahunga School ranks highest among Tawhero schools (93/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Tawhero?
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 Tawhero 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 Tawhero address.
Decile or EQI — how are Tawhero 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).