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Wakari School

Dunedin · Otago Region

Contributing · State · Co-Educational · Major urban area · Enrolment scheme

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Wakari School at a glance

Wakari School is a co-educational contributing school in Dunedin, within the Otago Region, operating in the state sector, with 314 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 440. The school has been open since 1858.

With 314 students on roll, Wakari School is a large school — larger than about 62% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 440, 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.

79.3% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 7.6%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.1 (low isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 26079.3%
Pasifika 154.6%
Asian 257.6%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 175.2%
Other 113.4%
European 260 · 79.3%
Pasifika 15 · 4.6%
Asian 25 · 7.6%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 17 · 5.2%
Other 11 · 3.4%

Total roll recorded: 314 students. Percentages are calculated from the 2026 roll census and may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

314Students on rollLarger than 62% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
440Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.79Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.1Isolation indexlow isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeContributing
  • YearsYears 1–6
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingMajor urban area
  • Territorial authorityDunedin City
  • Education regionOtago, Southland
  • Regional councilOtago Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • 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
  • Opened1858
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaWakari
  • WardArea Outside Ward
  • General electorateDunedin
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Otago Region
Dunedin 45.8564° S · 170.4798° E
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Nearby schools

St Mary's School (Dunedin)Dunedin · Contributing 0.6 km Balmacewen IntermediateDunedin · Intermediate 0.8 km Halfway Bush SchoolDunedin · Contributing 1.1 km Kaikorai SchoolDunedin · Contributing 1.3 km Columba CollegeDunedin · Composite 1.4 km John McGlashan CollegeDunedin · Secondary (Year 7-15) 1.4 km

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About this data

School #3859 is drawn from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity figures recorded at the same snapshot. Equity Index, isolation index, enrolment scheme and boarding fields are as published by the Ministry. Qualification attainment statistics on this site come from Education Counts releases.

Figures are provided for information and comparison only. NewzSchools is an independent directory, is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and does not endorse or rank schools. Always confirm enrolment details, zone boundaries and fees directly with the school.

Corrections and updates: contact the directory.

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