Schools in Waitara
Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand
There are 6 schools in and around Waitara (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 4 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary. Tikorangi 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.
6 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Waitara 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 →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing50Trajectory50ERO review83 - 2St Joseph's School (Waitara)
Waitara · Full Primary · 90 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →61
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing76Trajectory48ERO review55 - View profile →
50
/ 100 composite
Academic66Outcomes25Retention57Wellbeing32Trajectory72ERO review54 - View profile →
47
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing42Trajectory27ERO review65 - 5Waitara Central School
Waitara · Contributing · 148 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →45
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory99ERO review51 - View profile →
38
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory39ERO review71
What the record says about Waitara schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Tikorangi School
Tikorangi School's December 2024 board assurance review confirmed the board has met all regulatory and legislative requirements as of October 2024, with board administration and curriculum requirements verified. The school serves 175 students as a contributing school in the Waitara area.
Full source-linked profile →St Joseph's School (Waitara)
St Joseph's School (Waitara) had a board assurance review in October 2024. The board attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of August 2024, with board administration and curriculum requirements confirmed. No composite score was assigned for this review type.
Full source-linked profile →Waitara High School
Waitara High School's 2023 ERO review identified a relational culture of trust that is increasingly culturally responsive, alongside systematic processes for tracking learner achievement. The school has a planned approach to professional learning and leaders focused on achieving excellence and equity. The school is currently subject to limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Manukorihi Intermediate
Manukorihi Intermediate (composite score 65) has overall achievement levels lower than expected, though most learners make progress each year with particular gains in writing. Student attendance is below Ministry of Education targets. The school has strengthened reading instruction through structured teaching and interest-aligned materials, and effectively uses internal expertise to support teacher development and foster a strong sense of belonging through its values.
Full source-linked profile →Waitara Central School
Waitara Central School received an ERO review in October 2022. The school has curriculum expertise and clear strategic intent to develop effective teaching and learning while engaging whānau. A new principal was appointed in 2020, and the school is implementing a shared teacher inquiry approach to improve learner outcomes. The school is currently under active limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Waitara East School
Waitara East School has shown ongoing increases in achievement across reading, writing, and mathematics, with the majority of students achieving at or above expectation. Māori student achievement in reading and writing is significantly higher than Pākehā student achievement. The school demonstrates purposeful leadership and respect for Māori culture, with a focus on identifying individual learning needs and providing equitable support.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Waitara schools
What schools are in Waitara?
Waitara has 6 schools on our records (4 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary): Waitara High School, Manukorihi Intermediate, St Joseph's School (Waitara), Tikorangi School, Waitara Central School, Waitara East School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Waitara?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Tikorangi School ranks highest among Waitara schools (63/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Waitara 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 Waitara?
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 Waitara 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 Waitara address.
Decile or EQI — how are Waitara 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).