Schools in Whanganui
Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand
There are 36 schools in and around Whanganui (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 24 primary, 2 intermediate, 9 secondary. 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.
36 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Whanganui schools by suburb
12 Whanganui suburbs have their own schools page.
Top 30 schools in Whanganui 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 - View profile →
92
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review79 - View profile →
89
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory92ERO review78 - View profile →
85
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory64ERO review84 - View profile →
83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory58ERO review84 - 6Whanganui Collegiate School
Whanganui · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 414 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →82
/ 100 composite
Academic93Outcomes66Retention95Wellbeing92Trajectory39ERO review85 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing94Trajectory55ERO review84 - View profile →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory49ERO review75 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing86Trajectory51ERO review81 - View profile →
75
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Wellbeing100Trajectory52ERO review67 - View profile →
71
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Wellbeing91Trajectory61ERO review59 - View profile →
70
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Wellbeing100Trajectory38ERO review63 - View profile →
69
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Academic100Outcomes3Retention100Wellbeing—Trajectory76ERO review82 - View profile →
67
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Academic86Outcomes23Retention80Wellbeing59Trajectory100ERO review75 - View profile →
66
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing70Trajectory51ERO review73 - View profile →
64
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Wellbeing100Trajectory43ERO review46 - View profile →
62
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Wellbeing72Trajectory15ERO review83 - View profile →
61
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Academic74Outcomes42Retention76Wellbeing37Trajectory61ERO review82 - 19Te Kura o Kokohuia
Castlecliff · Composite · 219 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →60
/ 100 composite
Academic73Outcomes1Retention75Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review59 - 20TKKM o Tupoho
Castlecliff · Composite · 164 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →59
/ 100 composite
Academic76Outcomes1Retention80Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review80 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing74Trajectory2ERO review77 - View profile →
54
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Academic78Outcomes12Retention79Wellbeing35Trajectory46ERO review75 - View profile →
48
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Wellbeing0Trajectory73ERO review75 - View profile →
45
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Wellbeing0Trajectory57ERO review76 - View profile →
45
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Wellbeing0Trajectory54ERO review79 - View profile →
43
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Wellbeing0Trajectory36ERO review84 - 27Aranui School (Wanganui)
Whanganui · Contributing · 69 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →41
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory56ERO review67 - View profile →
40
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Wellbeing0Trajectory29ERO review81 - View profile →
38
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Wellbeing0Trajectory37ERO review72 - 30Okoia School
Okoia · Full Primary · 49 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →38
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory40ERO review71
More schools in Whanganui
The rest of Whanganui's schools — some scored, some without a composite score yet (often small rolls or limited scored data). Every one has a full source-linked profile.
- Whanganui City College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 297 students
- Upokongaro School Full Primary · 112 students
- St Anthony's School (Wanganui) Composite · 101 students
- Whanganui Intermediate Intermediate · 449 students
- Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School Intermediate · 142 students
- Aberfeldy School Full Primary · 13 students
What the record says about Whanganui 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 →Brunswick School
Brunswick School's Board of Trustees attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements as of February 2025, with Board Administration and Curriculum requirements met. The school's most recent ERO review was a board assurance audit conducted in March 2025.
Full source-linked profile →TKKM o Te Atihaunui-A-Paparangi
The school has a composite score of 78. ERO (2024) found students are proud of their Whanganui and Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi identity, immersed in te reo Māori of the region which they use naturally across contexts, and secure in their connections to local hapū and iwi. Strengths include strong cultural identity, effective te reo Māori immersion, and well-established learning routines with good student engagement.
Full source-linked profile →Mosston School
Mosston School achieved a composite score of 84 in its February 2019 ERO review. The school demonstrates equity and excellence across reading, writing and mathematics, with effective systems for tracking and monitoring student progress. Strengths include comprehensive processes addressing diverse learner needs, well-developed curriculum provision, and effective professional practice.
Full source-linked profile →St George's School
St George's School's 2016 special ERO review found the school suitably staffed with current Practising Teacher Certificates and a curriculum based on the New Zealand Curriculum supported by Christian values. Strengths included well-resourced facilities with specialist teaching spaces, strong pastoral care, and a values-driven approach aligned with the school's special character. The school had composite score of 84.
Full source-linked profile →Whanganui Collegiate School
Whanganui Collegiate School's 2022 ERO review focused on international students. The school attested compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 and had 42 international students enrolled at the time of review. The school's onsite support team prioritises student wellbeing, maintains regular parent communication, and encourages international students to participate in school life.
Full source-linked profile →St Johns Hill School
St Johns Hill School received a regular ERO review in August 2024, with findings showing nearly all learners, including Māori students, achieve curriculum expectations in reading and mathematics, with most achieving well in writing. Leaders articulate high expectations for all learners and effectively facilitate collaborative teaching teams, while teachers tailor learning to meet individual student needs through highly collaborative planning. The school demonstrates positive and sustained learner outcomes with strong collaborative teaching teams and robust assessment practices, achieving a composite score of 84.
Full source-linked profile →Kaitoke School (Wanganui)
Kaitoke School's board has attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of December 2024, with Board Administration and Curriculum requirements confirmed. The school has not received a composite score in recent evaluation.
Full source-linked profile →Faith City School
The Education Review Office (2018) found that most students achieve at or above school expectations in reading, writing and mathematics, though there has been an overall decline in achievement with some exceptions. Significant disparities exist between boys and girls in literacy, and between Pacific children and their peers. The school demonstrates strengths in values-focused wellbeing practices, collaborative leadership, and teacher professional development.
Full source-linked profile →Churton School
Churton School is a contributing school in Aramoho, Whanganui with a composite score of 63. Most students achieve at or above expected curriculum level in reading and writing, with a majority meeting expectations in mathematics. Students demonstrate strong belonging and pride in school values, and staff provide effective support for learners with additional needs. Attendance is regular for most students, though the school has not yet met the Ministry of Education's 2024 attendance target.
Full source-linked profile →St Dominic's College
St Dominic's College meets all criteria for registration as a private school. The school maintains suitable premises, staffing, and equipment, with regularly reviewed policies ensuring a physically and emotionally safe environment. International students are well integrated into school, community, and parish life with their needs appropriately met.
Full source-linked profile →Cullinane College
Cullinane College's 2022 ERO review found the school has effective systems to track learner progress and achievement, with relationship-based teaching and learning well-established. The school systematically removes barriers to support equitable access to learning. The school has a composite score of 75.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Whanganui schools
What schools are in Whanganui?
Whanganui has 36 schools on our records (24 primary, 2 intermediate, 9 secondary): Whanganui City College, Whanganui Girls' College, Whanganui High School, Cullinane College, Whanganui Collegiate School, Faith City School, St Dominic's College, St Anthony's School (Wanganui), Aberfeldy School, Arahunga School, Aranui School (Wanganui), Brunswick School, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Whanganui?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Arahunga School ranks highest among Whanganui schools (93/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Whanganui Collegiate 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 Whanganui?
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 Whanganui 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 Whanganui address.
Decile or EQI — how are Whanganui 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).