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Pongakawa School

Pongakawa · Bay of Plenty 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 Pongakawa School

Pongakawa School is a co-educational full primary school in Pongakawa, within the Bay of Plenty Region, operating in the state sector, with 321 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 448. The school has been open since 1892.

With 321 students on roll, Pongakawa School is a large school — larger than about 63% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 448, 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.

89.1% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 6.1%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.69 (moderate isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 279 · 89.1%
Pasifika 5 · 1.6%
Asian 19 · 6.1%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 10 · 3.2%

Total roll recorded: 321 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

321Students on rollLarger than 63% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
448Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.45Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.69Isolation indexmoderate isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Bay of Plenty Region
Pongakawa 37.8375° S · 176.4769° E
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Nearby schools

Paengaroa SchoolPaengaroa · Contributing 5.6 km Pukehina SchoolPukehina · Full Primary 5.9 km Maketu SchoolMaketu · Contributing 8.6 km Otamarakau SchoolTe Puke · Full Primary 9.8 km Rangiuru SchoolTe Puke · Full Primary 10.3 km TKKM o Te MataiTe Puke · Full Primary 11.5 km

School information

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
  • Education regionBay of Plenty, Waiariki
  • Regional councilBay of Plenty 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
  • Opened1892
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