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Birchwood School

Nelson · Nelson Region

Contributing · State · Co-Educational · Large urban area · Enrolment scheme

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Birchwood School at a glance

Birchwood School is a co-educational contributing school in Nelson, within the Nelson Region, operating in the state sector, with 251 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 456. The school has been open since 1976.

With 251 students on roll, Birchwood School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 55% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 456, which is below the national average of 463. A lower Equity Index signals less socio-economic need in the school's community than the national norm.

79.4% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 11.3%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.22 (low isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 19779.4%
Pasifika 197.7%
Asian 2811.3%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 31.2%
Other 10.4%
European 197 · 79.4%
Pasifika 19 · 7.7%
Asian 28 · 11.3%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 3 · 1.2%
Other 1 · 0.4%

Total roll recorded: 251 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

251Students on rollLarger than 55% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
456Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.7Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.22Isolation indexlow isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeContributing
  • YearsYears 1–6
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingLarge urban area
  • Territorial authorityNelson City
  • Education regionNelson, Marlborough, West Coast
  • Regional councilNelson Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1976
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaBroadgreen-Monaco
  • WardStoke-Tāhunanui General Ward
  • General electorateNelson
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Nelson Region
Nelson 41.3067° S · 173.2244° E
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Nearby schools

Nayland Primary SchoolNelson · Contributing 0.6 km Broadgreen IntermediateNelson · Intermediate 0.7 km Nayland CollegeNelson · Secondary (Year 9-15) 0.7 km Stoke SchoolNelson · Contributing 1.2 km Nelson Christian AcademyNelson · Full Primary 2 km Enner Glynn SchoolNelson · Contributing 2.5 km

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About this data

School #3182 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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