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Karetu School

Kawakawa · Northland Region

Full Primary · State · Co-Educational · Rural other · Enrolment scheme

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Karetu School at a glance

Karetu School is a co-educational full primary school in Kawakawa, within the Northland Region, operating in the state sector, with 81 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 497. The school has been open since 1886.

With 81 students on roll, Karetu School is a small school — larger than about 22% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 497, 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.

82.4% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Pasifika descent make up 9.8%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.66 (very high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 4282.4%
Pasifika 59.8%
Asian 23.9%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 12.0%
Other 12.0%
European 42 · 82.4%
Pasifika 5 · 9.8%
Asian 2 · 3.9%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 1 · 2.0%
Other 1 · 2.0%

Total roll recorded: 81 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

81Students on rollLarger than 22% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
497Equity IndexAbove national mean of 463
0.67Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.66Isolation indexvery high isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • Territorial authorityFar North District
  • Education regionTai Tokerau
  • Regional councilNorthland 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
  • Opened1886
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaRussell Forest-Rawhiti
  • WardBay of Islands-Whangaroa General Ward
  • General electorateNorthland
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Northland Region
Kawakawa 35.3738° S · 174.1524° E
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Nearby schools

Bay of Islands CollegeKawakawa · Secondary (Year 9-15) 7 km Opua SchoolOpua · Full Primary 7.3 km Kawakawa Primary SchoolKawakawa · Full Primary 7.9 km Te Kura o WaikareKawakawa · Composite 8.3 km Paihia SchoolPaihia · Full Primary 11.5 km TKKM o TaumarereMoerewa · Composite 12 km

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About this data

School #1031 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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