Whangamarino School

Whangamarino School is a co-educational full primary school in Okere Falls, within the Bay of Plenty Region, operating in the state sector, with 134 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 531. The school has been open since 1858.

With 134 students on roll, Whangamarino School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 34% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 531, 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 68 points is substantial enough to matter when comparing schools.

The largest group is European at 55.6%, with a meaningful Pasifika community at 40.7% — a mixed but clearly led roll.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.57 (moderate isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.