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Brightwater School

Brightwater · Tasman Region

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Figures on this page come from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity recorded at the same snapshot. Always confirm enrolment, zoning and fees directly with the school. About this directory

At a glance

About Brightwater School

Brightwater School is a co-educational contributing school in Brightwater, within the Tasman Region, operating in the state sector, with 246 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 439. The school has been open since 1888.

With 246 students on roll, Brightwater School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 54% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 439, 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.

89.4% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 4.9%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.48 (moderate isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 219 · 89.4%
Pasifika 6 · 2.4%
Asian 12 · 4.9%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 5 · 2.0%
Other 3 · 1.2%

Total roll recorded: 246 students, from the 2026 roll census. Percentages may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

246Students on rollLarger than 54% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
439Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.47Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.48Isolation indexmoderate isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Tasman Region
Brightwater 41.3791° S · 173.1130° E
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Nearby schools

Hope SchoolHope · Contributing 2.9 km Ranzau SchoolHope · Contributing 4.5 km Wakefield SchoolWakefield · Full Primary 6.6 km Richmond School (Nelson)Nelson · Contributing 7.3 km Henley School (Nelson)Richmond · Contributing 8.1 km Appleby SchoolTasman · Full Primary 8.1 km

School information

  • School typeContributing
  • YearsYears 1–6
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingSmall urban area
  • Territorial authorityTasman District
  • Education regionNelson, Marlborough, West Coast
  • Regional councilTasman 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
  • Opened1888
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