Schools in Waitakere
Auckland — North · New Zealand
There are 4 schools in and around Waitakere (Auckland — North) — 2 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary. ACG Sunderland 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.
Browse Waitakere schools by suburb
3 Waitakere suburbs have their own schools page.
Schools in Waitakere 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 →
72
/ 100 composite
Academic93Outcomes20Retention93Wellbeing—Trajectory100ERO review84 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing49Trajectory67ERO review73 - View profile →
56
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing78Trajectory4ERO review68
More schools in Waitakere
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- Timatanga Community School Full Primary · 27 students
What the record says about Waitakere schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
ACG Sunderland
ACG Sunderland meets all eight registration criteria for private schools under the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has suitable premises, staffing, and equipment for its curriculum and student age range, with regularly reviewed policies to ensure student safety. Managers are assessed as fit and proper persons to manage the school.
Full source-linked profile →Henderson Intermediate
ERO reviewed Henderson Intermediate's international student programme in December 2023. The school attested compliance with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and completed an annual self-review, though no international students were enrolled at the time of review.
Full source-linked profile →Arahoe School
Arahoe School appointed a new principal in 2023 with collaborative, future-focused leadership. The school's evaluation focus includes how effectively the local curriculum supports all learners' progress, particularly in writing. Strengths include caring, culturally responsive partnerships that promote belonging, collaborative leadership open to improvement, and teachers committed to professional learning.
Full source-linked profile →Timatanga Community School
Timatanga Community School is a full primary school in Whenuapai with a roll of 27 students. According to its February 2023 ERO review, the school has a positive climate that encourages whānau participation, and uses teaching pedagogy designed to respond to individual learner needs and interests. The school is developing a revised local curriculum reflecting its special character. The school's composite score is 61.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Waitakere schools
What schools are in Waitakere?
Waitakere has 4 schools on our records (2 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary): ACG Sunderland, Arahoe School, Henderson Intermediate, Timatanga Community School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Waitakere?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — ACG Sunderland ranks highest among Waitakere schools (72/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Waitakere?
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 Waitakere 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 Waitakere address.
Decile or EQI — how are Waitakere 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).