NewzSchools New Zealand School Directory
Browse all schools

hello@newzschools.nz
NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Specialist School · State

Waitaha School

Rolleston · Canterbury Region

Back to directory
School website Get directions

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 Waitaha School

Waitaha School is a co-educational specialist school school in Rolleston, within the Canterbury Region, operating in the state sector, with 129 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 462. The school has been open since 1929.

With 129 students on roll, Waitaha School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 32% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 462, 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 66.7%, with a meaningful Asian community at 21.4% — a mixed but clearly led roll.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.43 (moderate isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 84 · 66.7%
Pasifika 7 · 5.6%
Asian 27 · 21.4%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 8 · 6.3%

Total roll recorded: 129 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

129Students on rollLarger than 32% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
462Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.94Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.43Isolation indexmoderate isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Canterbury Region
Rolleston 43.6234° S · 172.3859° E
Open in Maps

Nearby schools

Lemonwood Grove SchoolRolleston · Full Primary 0.1 km Te Rau HoropitoRolleston · Full Primary 1.1 km Te Rōhutu WhioRolleston · Full Primary 1.6 km Rolleston Christian SchoolRolleston · Full Primary 1.8 km Clearview PrimaryRolleston · Full Primary 2 km Rolleston CollegeRolleston · Secondary (Year 9-15) 2.2 km

School information

  • School typeSpecialist School
  • Special characterDay Specialist
  • YearsSpecialist — all years
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingMedium urban area
  • Territorial authoritySelwyn District
  • Education regionCanterbury, Chatham Islands
  • Regional councilCanterbury 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
  • Opened1929
More in Canterbury Region

More schools in Canterbury Region.

View all