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Merrilands School

New Plymouth · Taranaki 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 Merrilands School

Merrilands School is a co-educational contributing school in New Plymouth, within the Taranaki Region, operating in the state sector, with 138 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 479. The school has been open since 1960.

With 138 students on roll, Merrilands School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 35% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 479, 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.

The largest group is European at 64.1%, with a meaningful Asian community at 16% — a mixed but clearly led roll.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.95 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 84 · 64.1%
Pasifika 19 · 14.5%
Asian 21 · 16.0%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 7 · 5.3%

Total roll recorded: 138 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

138Students on rollLarger than 35% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
479Equity IndexAbove national mean of 463
1.01Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.95Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Taranaki Region
New Plymouth 39.0633° S · 174.1039° E
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Nearby schools

Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)New Plymouth · Secondary (Year 7-15) 1.2 km New Plymouth Girls' High SchoolNew Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) 1.2 km St John Bosco School (New Plymouth)New Plymouth · Contributing 1.4 km Welbourn SchoolNew Plymouth · Contributing 1.4 km New Plymouth Boys' High SchoolNew Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) 1.5 km Fitzroy SchoolNew Plymouth · Contributing 1.7 km

School information

  • School typeContributing
  • YearsYears 1–6
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingLarge urban area
  • Territorial authorityNew Plymouth District
  • Education regionTaranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū
  • Regional councilTaranaki 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
  • Opened1960
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