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NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

East Otago High School

Palmerston · Otago Region

Secondary (Year 7-15) · State · Co-Educational · Rural settlement

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East Otago High School at a glance

East Otago High School is a co-educational secondary (year 7-15) school in Palmerston, within the Otago Region, operating in the state sector, with 196 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 488. The school has been open since 1969.

With 196 students on roll, East Otago High School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 47% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 488, which is close to the national average of 463. That means the roll faces a broadly typical level of socio-economic challenge compared with schools across Aotearoa.

84.2% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Pasifika descent make up 8.2%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.12 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 15484.2%
Pasifika 158.2%
Asian 63.3%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 63.3%
Other 21.1%
European 154 · 84.2%
Pasifika 15 · 8.2%
Asian 6 · 3.3%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 6 · 3.3%
Other 2 · 1.1%

Total roll recorded: 196 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

196Students on rollLarger than 47% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
488Equity IndexAbove national mean of 463
0.62Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.12Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeSecondary (Year 7-15)
  • YearsYears 7–15
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural settlement
  • Territorial authorityWaitaki District
  • Education regionOtago, Southland
  • Regional councilOtago Region
  • Enrolment schemeNo — no enrolment scheme
  • 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
  • Opened1969
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaPalmerston
  • WardWaihemo Ward
  • General electorateWaitaki
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Otago Region
Palmerston 45.4789° S · 170.7212° E
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Nearby schools

Palmerston SchoolPalmerston · Contributing 0.3 km Waikouaiti SchoolWaikouaiti · Contributing 13.6 km Hampden SchoolHampden · Full Primary 18.6 km Karitane SchoolKaritane · Contributing 19.1 km Macraes Moonlight SchoolPalmerston · Full Primary 25.3 km Warrington SchoolWarrington · Full Primary 27.4 km

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About this data

School #371 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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