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Hokowhitu School

Palmerston North · Manawatū-Whanganui Region

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

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Hokowhitu School at a glance

Hokowhitu School is a co-educational contributing school in Palmerston North, within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, operating in the state sector, with 385 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 426. The school has been open since 1924.

With 385 students on roll, Hokowhitu School is a large school — larger than about 72% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 426, 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.

The roll is genuinely diverse: no single ethnic group dominates, with European at 49.9% and Asian at 35.2%. Diversity of this kind is common in urban New Zealand schools.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.07 (very low isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 19749.9%
Pasifika 225.6%
Asian 13935.2%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 297.3%
Other 82.0%
European 197 · 49.9%
Pasifika 22 · 5.6%
Asian 139 · 35.2%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 29 · 7.3%
Other 8 · 2.0%

Total roll recorded: 385 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

385Students on rollLarger than 72% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
426Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
1.15Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.07Isolation indexvery low isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeContributing
  • YearsYears 1–6
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingLarge urban area
  • Territorial authorityPalmerston North City
  • Education regionTaranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū
  • Regional councilManawatū-Whanganui Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
  • Cohort entryYes — students start in cohorts
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1924
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaHokowhitu East
  • WardTe Hirawanui General Ward
  • General electoratePalmerston North
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Manawatū-Whanganui Region
Palmerston North 40.3570° S · 175.6297° E
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Nearby schools

St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato HeemiPalmerston North · Contributing 0.5 km College Street Normal SchoolPalmerston North · Contributing 0.9 km Carncot Independent SchoolPalmerston North · Full Primary 1.1 km Winchester School (P North)Palmerston North · Contributing 1.2 km Parkland School (P North)Palmerston North · Contributing 1.2 km Terrace End SchoolPalmerston North · Contributing 1.3 km

Similar schools

Tararua College

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Roslyn School

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About this data

School #2365 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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