Columba College

Dunedin · Otago Region

Composite · State : Integrated · Primary Co-Ed/Secondary Girls · Major urban area · Boarding · Enrolment scheme

Columba College at a glance

Columba College is a primary co-ed/secondary girls composite school in Dunedin, within the Otago Region, operating in the state : integrated sector, with 607 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 391. The school has been open since 1915.

With 607 students on roll, Columba College is a large school — larger than about 87% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 391, which is well below the national average of 463. A lower Equity Index signals less socio-economic need in the school's community than the national norm. The gap of 72 points is substantial enough to matter when comparing schools.

The largest group is European at 70.2%, with a meaningful Asian community at 17.6% — a mixed but clearly led roll.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.06 (very low isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 45870.2%

Pasifika 314.8%

Asian 11517.6%

Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 132.0%

Other 152.3%

International 203.1%

European 458 · 70.2%

Pasifika 31 · 4.8%

Asian 115 · 17.6%

Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 13 · 2.0%

Other 15 · 2.3%

International 20 · 3.1%

Total roll recorded: 607 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

607Students on rollLarger than 87% of NZ schools · national median 215.5

391Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463

0.97Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)

0.06Isolation indexvery low isolation

344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

School typeComposite
YearsComposite — wide year range
AuthorityState : Integrated
GenderPrimary Co-Ed/Secondary Girls
SettingMajor urban area
Territorial authorityDunedin City
Education regionOtago, Southland
Regional councilOtago Region
Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
BoardingBoarding available
Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
Cohort entryNo — individual entry
DonationsDonations may be requested
Opened1915
Roll date2026 directory export
Statistical areaRoslyn (Dunedin City)
WardArea Outside Ward
General electorateDunedin
Māori electorate—

Location

Otago Region

Dunedin 45.8635° S · 170.4940° E

Open in Maps

Nearby schools

Kaikorai SchoolDunedin · Contributing 0.3 km Balmacewen IntermediateDunedin · Intermediate 0.6 km Otago Boys' High SchoolDunedin · Secondary (Year 9-15) 0.8 km Māori Hill SchoolDunedin · Contributing 0.9 km St Hildas CollegiateDunedin · Secondary (Year 7-15) 0.9 km London House Learning CentreDunedin · Activity Centre 0.9 km

Similar schools

Shotover Primary School

Queenstown, Otago Region

Full PrimaryState

Dunstan High School

Alexandra, Otago Region

Secondary (Year 9-15)State

Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau

Queenstown, Otago Region

Full PrimaryState

Bayfield High School

Dunedin, Otago Region

Secondary (Year 9-15)State

Wanaka Primary School

Wanaka, Otago Region

ContributingState

Queenstown Primary School

Queenstown, Otago Region

Full PrimaryState

About this data

School #386 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.