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Whatawhata School

Hamilton · Waikato Region

Full Primary · State · Co-Educational · Rural settlement · Enrolment scheme

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Whatawhata School at a glance

Whatawhata School is a co-educational full primary school in Hamilton, within the Waikato Region, operating in the state sector, with 280 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 446. The school has been open since 1878.

With 280 students on roll, Whatawhata School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 59% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 446, 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.

81.9% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Pasifika descent make up 10.5%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.3 (low isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 20381.9%
Pasifika 2610.5%
Asian 104.0%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 93.6%
European 203 · 81.9%
Pasifika 26 · 10.5%
Asian 10 · 4.0%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 9 · 3.6%

Total roll recorded: 280 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

280Students on rollLarger than 59% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
446Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.65Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.3Isolation indexlow isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural settlement
  • Territorial authorityWaikato District
  • Education regionWaikato
  • Regional councilWaikato Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionSome students taught in te reo Māori
  • Cohort entryYes — students start in cohorts
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1878
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaWhatawhata East
  • WardNewcastle-Ngāruawāhia General Ward
  • General electorateTaranaki-King Country
  • Māori electorate—

Te reo Māori programme

19Taught predominantly in te reo Māori7.42% of the roll
82Learning te reo in English mediumLevels 3–5 immersion recorded separately

This school reports 101 students learning te reo Māori across immersion and English-medium programmes, according to the kura language statistics.

Location

Waikato Region
Hamilton 37.7923° S · 175.1574° E
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Nearby schools

Rotokauri SchoolHamilton · Full Primary 5 km Te Kowhai SchoolTe Kowhai · Full Primary 5.9 km Koromatua SchoolHamilton · Full Primary 6.2 km Crawshaw SchoolHamilton · Full Primary 6.9 km Ngā Taiātea WharekuraHamilton · Secondary (Year 9-15) 7 km Nawton SchoolHamilton · Contributing 7.5 km

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About this data

School #2087 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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