Schools in Tararua District, Manawatū-Whanganui (2026)
20 schools · 2,678 students · 17 state, 3 state integrated · median Equity Index (EQI) 498.
Tararua District, in Manawatū-Whanganui, has 20 schools in New Zealand's 2026 data, together educating about 2,678 students. By level there are 16 full primary, 2 composite, 2 secondary (year 9-15); by sector 17 state, 3 state integrated.
The median Equity Index (EQI) across Tararua District's schools is 498, above the Manawatū-Whanganui median of 487. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
12 of the 20 schools qualify for the Success Index (NZ). The highest-scoring is St Anthony's School (Pahiatua) (57.0, top 50% of full primary schools nationally), followed by Ruahine School (54.1, top 50% of full primary schools nationally), and Pahiatua School (38.1, lower 50% of full primary schools nationally). Scores are percentiles within school type, so compare a primary school with other primary schools.
The largest schools are Dannevirke High School (400 students), Tararua College (379 students), Pahiatua School (335 students).
Schools are spread across 11 suburbs or towns, with the most in Dannevirke (7), Pahiatua (4), Alfredton (1), Makuri (1).
Ranked schools in Tararua District
Ordered by Success Index (NZ). Rank positions shown on each profile are within New Zealand and Manawatū-Whanganui.
- 157St Anthony's School (Pahiatua)Pahiatua · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 441 · 128 students
- 254Ruahine SchoolDannevirke · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 451 · 167 students
- 338Pahiatua SchoolPahiatua · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 478 · 335 students
- 438St Joseph's School (Dannevirke)Dannevirke · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 473 · 131 students
- 536Totara College of Accelerated LearningDannevirke · State integrated CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 498 · 78 students
- 636Tararua CollegePahiatua · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 510 · 379 students
- 734Dannevirke High SchoolDannevirke · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 501 · 400 students
- 832Eketāhuna SchoolEketahuna · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 487 · 99 students
- 930Woodville SchoolWoodville · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 507 · 122 students
- 1029Dannevirke South SchoolDannevirke · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 504 · 270 students
- 1121Huia Range SchoolDannevirke · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 529 · 217 students
- 1220TKKM o Tamaki Nui A RuaDannevirke · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 535 · 81 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Anthony's School (Pahiatua) Pahiatua · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 57.0 Top 50% | 441 | 128 |
| 2 | Ruahine School Dannevirke · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 54.1 Top 50% | 451 | 167 |
| 3 | Pahiatua School Pahiatua · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 38.1 Lower 50% | 478 | 335 |
| 4 | St Joseph's School (Dannevirke) Dannevirke · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 37.9 Lower 50% | 473 | 131 |
| 5 | Totara College of Accelerated Learning Dannevirke · Composite · Years 1–13 | State integrated | 36.2 Lower 50% | 498 | 78 |
| 6 | Tararua College Pahiatua · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 35.8 Lower 50% | 510 | 379 |
| 7 | Dannevirke High School Dannevirke · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 34.1 Lower 50% | 501 | 400 |
| 8 | Eketāhuna School Eketahuna · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 31.9 Lower 50% | 487 | 99 |
| 9 | Woodville School Woodville · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 30.4 Lower 50% | 507 | 122 |
| 10 | Dannevirke South School Dannevirke · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 28.8 Lower 50% | 504 | 270 |
| 11 | Huia Range School Dannevirke · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 21.3 Lower 50% | 529 | 217 |
| 12 | TKKM o Tamaki Nui A Rua Dannevirke · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 19.8 Lower 50% | 535 | 81 |
Other schools in Tararua District
Schools without a rank: fewer than 60 students, no published Equity Index (EQI), or a school type that is not scored.
Alfredton School
Alfredton · State full primary · Years 1–8
24 students
Makuri School
Makuri · State full primary · Years 1–8
14 students
Weber School
Weber · State full primary · Years 1–8
35 students
Kumeroa School
Kumeroa · State full primary · Years 1–8
34 students
Pongaroa School
Pongaroa · State full primary · Years 1–8
50 students
Ballance School
Pahiatua · State full primary · Years 1–8
23 students
Mangatainoka School
Mangatainoka · State full primary · Years 1–8
48 students
Norsewood and Districts School
Norsewood · State full primary · Years 1–8
43 students
Compare the top 4 schools in Tararua District side by side →
Suburb or towns in Tararua District
Other places in Manawatū-Whanganui
- Palmerston North(22)
- Whanganui(18)
- Feilding(12)
- Levin(12)
- Taumarunui(9)
- Marton(8)
- Dannevirke(7)
- Taihape(5)
- Foxton(5)
- Pahiatua(4)
- Roslyn(3)
- Whanganui East(3)
- Hokowhitu(3)
- Ohakune(3)
- Castlecliff(3)
- Awapuni(2)
- Tawhero(2)
- Palmerston North CBD(2)
- Kelvin Grove(2)
- West End(2)
- Longburn(2)
- Milson(2)
- Ashhurst(2)
- Bulls(2)
- Gonville(2)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Tararua District?
St Anthony's School (Pahiatua) is the highest-ranked school in Tararua District with a Success Index (NZ) of 57.0 out of 100 (Top 50% of full primary schools in New Zealand).
How many schools are in Tararua District?
Tararua District has 20 schools (16 full primary, 2 composite, 2 secondary (year 9-15)) educating 2,678 students in 2026.
What is the typical Equity Index (EQI) in Tararua District?
The median Equity Index (EQI) across schools in Tararua District is 498. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.