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NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Bay of Islands College

Kawakawa · Northland Region

Secondary (Year 9-15) · State · Co-Educational · Small urban area · Enrolment scheme

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Bay of Islands College at a glance

Bay of Islands College is a co-educational secondary (year 9-15) school in Kawakawa, within the Northland Region, operating in the state sector, with 474 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 530. The school has been open since 1858.

With 474 students on roll, Bay of Islands College is a large school — larger than about 79% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 530, which is above the national average of 463. A higher Equity Index signals greater socio-economic need in the school's community — schools in this band receive more targeted government funding and support. The gap of 67 points is substantial enough to matter when comparing schools.

The largest group is European at 68%, with a meaningful Pasifika community at 21.8% — a mixed but clearly led roll.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.5 (very high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 10068.0%
Pasifika 3221.8%
Asian 106.8%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 21.4%
Other 32.0%
European 100 · 68.0%
Pasifika 32 · 21.8%
Asian 10 · 6.8%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 2 · 1.4%
Other 3 · 2.0%

Total roll recorded: 474 students. Percentages are calculated from the 2026 roll census and may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

474Students on rollLarger than 79% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
530Equity IndexAbove national mean of 463
0.91Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.5Isolation indexvery high isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeSecondary (Year 9-15)
  • YearsYears 9–15
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingSmall urban area
  • Territorial authorityFar North District
  • Education regionTai Tokerau
  • Regional councilNorthland Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionSome students taught in te reo Māori
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1858
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaKawakawa
  • WardBay of Islands-Whangaroa General Ward
  • General electorateNorthland
  • Māori electorate—

Te reo Māori programme

80Taught predominantly in te reo Māori19.09% of the roll
184Learning te reo in English mediumLevels 3–5 immersion recorded separately

This school reports 264 students learning te reo Māori across immersion and English-medium programmes, according to the kura language statistics.

Location

Northland Region
Kawakawa 35.3795° S · 174.0759° E
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Nearby schools

Kawakawa Primary SchoolKawakawa · Full Primary 1 km TKKM o TaumarereMoerewa · Composite 5.1 km Moerewa SchoolMoerewa · Composite (Year 1-10) 6.3 km Karetu SchoolKawakawa · Full Primary 7 km Opua SchoolOpua · Full Primary 8.2 km Paihia SchoolPaihia · Full Primary 10.7 km

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About this data

School #8 is drawn from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity figures recorded at the same snapshot. Equity Index, isolation index, enrolment scheme and boarding fields are as published by the Ministry. Qualification attainment statistics on this site come from Education Counts releases.

Figures are provided for information and comparison only. NewzSchools is an independent directory, is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and does not endorse or rank schools. Always confirm enrolment details, zone boundaries and fees directly with the school.

Corrections and updates: contact the directory.

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