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Waitara High School

Waitara · Taranaki Region

State Secondary (Year 9-15) Report an error
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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 Waitara High School

Waitara High School is a co-educational secondary (year 9-15) school in Waitara, within the Taranaki Region, operating in the state sector, with 423 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 524. The school has been open since 1947.

With 423 students on roll, Waitara High School is a large school — larger than about 75% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 524, which is above the national average of 463. A higher Equity Index signals greater socio-economic need in the school's community — schools in this band receive more targeted government funding and support. The gap of 61 points is substantial enough to matter when comparing schools.

89.7% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Pasifika descent make up 7.5%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 252 · 89.7%
Pasifika 21 · 7.5%
Asian 3 · 1.1%
Other 5 · 1.8%

Total roll recorded: 423 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

423Students on rollLarger than 75% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
524Equity IndexAbove national mean of 463
0.41Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Te reo Māori programme

22Taught predominantly in te reo Māori6.18% of the roll
24Learning te reo in English mediumLevels 3–5 immersion recorded separately

Location

Taranaki Region
Waitara 38.9966° S · 174.2451° E
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Nearby schools

Waitara East SchoolWaitara · Contributing 0.3 km Manukorihi IntermediateWaitara · Intermediate 0.4 km Waitara Central SchoolWaitara · Contributing 1.3 km St Joseph's School (Waitara)Waitara · Full Primary 1.7 km Tikorangi SchoolWaitara · Contributing 5.1 km Huirangi SchoolHuirangi · Contributing 6.1 km

School information

  • School typeSecondary (Year 9-15)
  • YearsYears 9–15
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingSmall urban area
  • Territorial authorityNew Plymouth District
  • Education regionTaranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū
  • Regional councilTaranaki Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionSome students taught in te reo Māori
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1947
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