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NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Macraes Moonlight School

Palmerston · Otago 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 Macraes Moonlight School

Macraes Moonlight School is a co-educational full primary school in Palmerston, within the Otago Region, operating in the state sector, with 14 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 461. The school has been open since 1868.

With 14 students on roll, Macraes Moonlight School is a very small school — larger than about 5% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 461, 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.

86.7% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Pasifika descent make up 6.7%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.78 (very high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 13 · 86.7%
Pasifika 1 · 6.7%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 1 · 6.7%

Total roll recorded: 14 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

14Students on rollLarger than 5% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
461Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.49Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.78Isolation indexvery high isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Otago Region
Palmerston 45.3810° S · 170.4283° E
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Nearby schools

Palmerston SchoolPalmerston · Contributing 25.3 km East Otago High SchoolPalmerston · Secondary (Year 7-15) 25.3 km Strath Taieri SchoolMiddlemarch · Full Primary 27.8 km Waikouaiti SchoolWaikouaiti · Contributing 30.6 km Hampden SchoolHampden · Full Primary 30.9 km Karitane SchoolKaritane · Contributing 34.2 km

School information

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • 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
  • Opened1868
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