Schools in Taranaki (2026)
94 schools · 21,581 students · 78 state, 15 state integrated, 1 private · median Equity Index (EQI) 473.
Taranaki has 94 schools in New Zealand's 2026 data, together educating about 21,581 students. By level there are 42 full primary, 30 contributing, 8 secondary (year 9-15), 6 composite, 3 secondary (year 7-15), 3 intermediate, 1 teen parent unit, 1 activity centre; by sector 78 state, 15 state integrated, 1 private.
The median Equity Index (EQI) across Taranaki's schools is 473. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
72 of the 94 schools qualify for the Success Index (NZ). The highest-scoring is Oakura School (81.1, top 10% of full primary schools nationally), followed by Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) (80.7, top 10% of secondary (year 7-15) schools nationally), and St Pius X School (New Plymouth) (79.4, top 10% of contributing schools nationally). 3 schools sit in the top 10% of New Zealand for their type. Scores are percentiles within school type, so compare a primary school with other primary schools.
The largest schools are New Plymouth Boys' High School (1,457 students), New Plymouth Girls' High School (1,290 students), Spotswood College (905 students). 5 schools are single-sex.
Schools are spread across 34 suburbs or towns, with the most in New Plymouth (20), Stratford (10), Hāwera (10), Inglewood (6).
Best primary schools in TaranakiBest secondary schools in TaranakiBest state schools in TaranakiBest state integrated schools in Taranaki
Ranked schools in Taranaki
Ordered by Success Index (NZ). Rank positions shown on each profile are within New Zealand and Taranaki.
- 181Oakura SchoolNew Plymouth · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 390 · 376 students
- 281Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)Fitzroy · State integrated Secondary (Year 7-15)Equity Index (EQI) 414 · 729 students
- 379St Pius X School (New Plymouth)New Plymouth · State integrated ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 391 · 188 students
- 477Fitzroy SchoolFitzroy · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 422 · 443 students
- 575Ōmata SchoolOmata · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 410 · 207 students
- 675St Joseph's School (New Plymouth)New Plymouth · State integrated ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 384 · 286 students
- 774St John Bosco School (New Plymouth)New Plymouth · State integrated ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 385 · 268 students
- 872Francis Douglas Memorial CollegeWestown · State integrated Secondary (Year 7-15)Equity Index (EQI) 418 · 779 students
- 970Woodleigh SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 437 · 437 students
- 1068Bell Block SchoolBell Block · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 441 · 473 students
- 1167Mangorei SchoolHighlands Park · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 412 · 290 students
- 1266Egmont Village SchoolEgmont Vllage · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 432 · 205 students
- 1365New Plymouth Boys' High SchoolNew Plymouth · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 446 · 1,457 students
- 1465Central School Te Kura Waenga O NgāmotuNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 417 · 227 students
- 1563New Plymouth Girls' High SchoolNew Plymouth · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 447 · 1,290 students
- 1663Welbourn SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 425 · 365 students
- 1763Frankley SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 422 · 256 students
- 1863Vogeltown SchoolVogeltown · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 447 · 337 students
- 1961Taranaki Diocesan School for GirlsStratford · State integrated Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 461 · 99 students
- 2061Lepperton SchoolLepperton · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 423 · 129 students
- 2160Norfolk SchoolInglewood · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 434 · 158 students
- 2257Highlands IntermediateNew Plymouth · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 444 · 714 students
- 2357St Joseph's School (Opunake)Opunake · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 441 · 124 students
- 2455St Joseph's School (Hawera)Hāwera · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 439 · 209 students
- 2554Kaimata SchoolInglewood · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 444 · 103 students
- 2654St Patrick's School (Inglewood)Inglewood · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 436 · 60 students
- 2752New Plymouth Adventist Christian SchoolVogeltown · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 443 · 63 students
- 2851St Joseph's School (Stratford)Stratford · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 444 · 155 students
- 2951Inglewood Primary SchoolInglewood · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 477 · 394 students
- 3049Turuturu SchoolHāwera · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 466 · 284 students
- 3149Urenui SchoolUrenui · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 447 · 101 students
- 3248Stratford Primary SchoolStratford · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 488 · 444 students
- 3346Matapu SchoolHāwera · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 467 · 146 students
- 3446Tikorangi SchoolWaitara · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 464 · 168 students
- 3546Tawhiti SchoolHāwera · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 473 · 278 students
- 3645Moturoa SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 458 · 147 students
- 3744West End Te Kura O MorereNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 462 · 235 students
- 3844Kakaramea SchoolPatea · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 457 · 64 students
- 3943Toko SchoolStratford · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 461 · 109 students
- 4042Opunake High SchoolOpunake · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 503 · 315 students
- 4142Spotswood CollegeNew Plymouth · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 493 · 905 students
- 4241Inglewood High SchoolInglewood · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 478 · 530 students
- 4341Midhirst SchoolMidhirst · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 477 · 139 students
- 4440Coastal Taranaki SchoolOkato · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 478 · 243 students
- 4540Huirangi SchoolHuirangi · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 476 · 109 students
- 4640Waverley Primary SchoolWaverley · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 487 · 168 students
- 4739Ngaere SchoolStratford · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 471 · 162 students
- 4839Auroa SchoolHāwera · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 473 · 167 students
- 4938Te Paepae o AoteaHāwera · State Secondary (Year 7-15)Equity Index (EQI) 509 · 863 students
- 5037Puketapu School (New Plymouth)Bell Block · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 480 · 332 students
- 5137Stratford High SchoolStratford · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 500 · 696 students
- 5235Merrilands SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 479 · 138 students
- 5334Pembroke SchoolStratford · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 480 · 82 students
- 5433Devon IntermediateLynmouth · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 494 · 349 students
- 5532Te Pi'ipi'inga Kakano Mai I RangiateaSpotswood · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 514 · 132 students
- 5630Waitara High SchoolWaitara · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 524 · 423 students
- 5729Opunake SchoolOpunake · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 499 · 156 students
- 5828Te Kura o Nga Ruahine RangiMangatoki · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 531 · 64 students
- 5928Normanby SchoolNormanby · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 503 · 142 students
- 6028Spotswood Primary SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 507 · 222 students
- 6127Rahotu SchoolRahotu · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 503 · 122 students
- 6227Westown SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 533 · 176 students
- 6326Waitara Central SchoolWaitara · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 535 · 184 students
- 6426Manukorihi IntermediateWaitara · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 512 · 210 students
- 6525Patea Area SchoolPatea · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 541 · 184 students
- 6624St Joseph's School (Waitara)Waitara · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 510 · 91 students
- 6724TKKM o Ngati RuanuiHāwera · State CompositeEquity Index (EQI) 531 · 150 students
- 6823Hāwera Primary SchoolHāwera · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 521 · 165 students
- 6922Eltham SchoolEltham · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 521 · 131 students
- 7022Marfell Community SchoolNew Plymouth · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 542 · 141 students
- 7121Waitara East SchoolWaitara · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 532 · 204 students
- 7214Ramanui SchoolHāwera · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 556 · 62 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakura School New Plymouth · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 81.1 Top 10% | 390 | 376 |
| 2 | Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) Fitzroy · Secondary (Year 7-15) · Years 7–13 | State integrated | 80.7 Top 10% | 414 | 729 |
| 3 | St Pius X School (New Plymouth) New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State integrated | 79.4 Top 10% | 391 | 188 |
| 4 | Fitzroy School Fitzroy · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 76.6 Top 25% | 422 | 443 |
| 5 | Ōmata School Omata · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 74.6 Top 25% | 410 | 207 |
| 6 | St Joseph's School (New Plymouth) New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State integrated | 74.5 Top 25% | 384 | 286 |
| 7 | St John Bosco School (New Plymouth) New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State integrated | 74.3 Top 25% | 385 | 268 |
| 8 | Francis Douglas Memorial College Westown · Secondary (Year 7-15) · Years 7–13 | State integrated | 71.9 Top 25% | 418 | 779 |
| 9 | Woodleigh School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 69.8 Top 25% | 437 | 437 |
| 10 | Bell Block School Bell Block · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 68.0 Top 25% | 441 | 473 |
| 11 | Mangorei School Highlands Park · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 66.7 Top 25% | 412 | 290 |
| 12 | Egmont Village School Egmont Vllage · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 65.6 Top 50% | 432 | 205 |
| 13 | New Plymouth Boys' High School New Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 65.0 Top 50% | 446 | 1,457 |
| 14 | Central School Te Kura Waenga O Ngāmotu New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 64.6 Top 50% | 417 | 227 |
| 15 | New Plymouth Girls' High School New Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 63.3 Top 50% | 447 | 1,290 |
| 16 | Welbourn School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 63.0 Top 50% | 425 | 365 |
| 17 | Frankley School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 62.8 Top 50% | 422 | 256 |
| 18 | Vogeltown School Vogeltown · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 62.8 Top 50% | 447 | 337 |
| 19 | Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls Stratford · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State integrated | 61.2 Top 50% | 461 | 99 |
| 20 | Lepperton School Lepperton · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 60.7 Top 50% | 423 | 129 |
| 21 | Norfolk School Inglewood · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 59.6 Top 50% | 434 | 158 |
| 22 | Highlands Intermediate New Plymouth · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 56.9 Top 50% | 444 | 714 |
| 23 | St Joseph's School (Opunake) Opunake · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 56.7 Top 50% | 441 | 124 |
| 24 | St Joseph's School (Hawera) Hāwera · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 54.8 Top 50% | 439 | 209 |
| 25 | Kaimata School Inglewood · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 53.9 Top 50% | 444 | 103 |
| 26 | St Patrick's School (Inglewood) Inglewood · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 53.6 Top 50% | 436 | 60 |
| 27 | New Plymouth Adventist Christian School Vogeltown · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 52.2 Top 50% | 443 | 63 |
| 28 | St Joseph's School (Stratford) Stratford · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 51.2 Top 50% | 444 | 155 |
| 29 | Inglewood Primary School Inglewood · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 50.8 Top 50% | 477 | 394 |
| 30 | Turuturu School Hāwera · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 48.8 Lower 50% | 466 | 284 |
| 31 | Urenui School Urenui · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 48.5 Lower 50% | 447 | 101 |
| 32 | Stratford Primary School Stratford · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 47.6 Lower 50% | 488 | 444 |
| 33 | Matapu School Hāwera · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 46.1 Lower 50% | 467 | 146 |
| 34 | Tikorangi School Waitara · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 46.1 Lower 50% | 464 | 168 |
| 35 | Tawhiti School Hāwera · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 45.9 Lower 50% | 473 | 278 |
| 36 | Moturoa School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 44.9 Lower 50% | 458 | 147 |
| 37 | West End Te Kura O Morere New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 44.1 Lower 50% | 462 | 235 |
| 38 | Kakaramea School Patea · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 43.5 Lower 50% | 457 | 64 |
| 39 | Toko School Stratford · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 42.7 Lower 50% | 461 | 109 |
| 40 | Opunake High School Opunake · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 42.3 Lower 50% | 503 | 315 |
| 41 | Spotswood College New Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 41.9 Lower 50% | 493 | 905 |
| 42 | Inglewood High School Inglewood · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 41.4 Lower 50% | 478 | 530 |
| 43 | Midhirst School Midhirst · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 41.4 Lower 50% | 477 | 139 |
| 44 | Coastal Taranaki School Okato · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 40.1 Lower 50% | 478 | 243 |
| 45 | Huirangi School Huirangi · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 40.1 Lower 50% | 476 | 109 |
| 46 | Waverley Primary School Waverley · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 39.6 Lower 50% | 487 | 168 |
| 47 | Ngaere School Stratford · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 39.3 Lower 50% | 471 | 162 |
| 48 | Auroa School Hāwera · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 38.7 Lower 50% | 473 | 167 |
| 49 | Te Paepae o Aotea Hāwera · Secondary (Year 7-15) · Years 7–13 | State | 37.6 Lower 50% | 509 | 863 |
| 50 | Puketapu School (New Plymouth) Bell Block · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 37.3 Lower 50% | 480 | 332 |
| 51 | Stratford High School Stratford · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 37.3 Lower 50% | 500 | 696 |
| 52 | Merrilands School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 35.3 Lower 50% | 479 | 138 |
| 53 | Pembroke School Stratford · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 33.9 Lower 50% | 480 | 82 |
| 54 | Devon Intermediate Lynmouth · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 33.0 Lower 50% | 494 | 349 |
| 55 | Te Pi'ipi'inga Kakano Mai I Rangiatea Spotswood · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 32.4 Lower 50% | 514 | 132 |
| 56 | Waitara High School Waitara · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 30.4 Lower 50% | 524 | 423 |
| 57 | Opunake School Opunake · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 29.2 Lower 50% | 499 | 156 |
| 58 | Te Kura o Nga Ruahine Rangi Mangatoki · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 28.3 Lower 50% | 531 | 64 |
| 59 | Normanby School Normanby · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 27.7 Lower 50% | 503 | 142 |
| 60 | Spotswood Primary School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 27.5 Lower 50% | 507 | 222 |
| 61 | Rahotu School Rahotu · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 27.1 Lower 50% | 503 | 122 |
| 62 | Westown School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 26.5 Lower 50% | 533 | 176 |
| 63 | Waitara Central School Waitara · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 26.4 Lower 50% | 535 | 184 |
| 64 | Manukorihi Intermediate Waitara · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 25.9 Lower 50% | 512 | 210 |
| 65 | Patea Area School Patea · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 25.0 Lower 50% | 541 | 184 |
| 66 | St Joseph's School (Waitara) Waitara · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 24.3 Lower 50% | 510 | 91 |
| 67 | TKKM o Ngati Ruanui Hāwera · Composite · Years 1–13 | State | 23.9 Lower 50% | 531 | 150 |
| 68 | Hāwera Primary School Hāwera · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 23.0 Lower 50% | 521 | 165 |
| 69 | Eltham School Eltham · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 22.3 Lower 50% | 521 | 131 |
| 70 | Marfell Community School New Plymouth · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 22.3 Lower 50% | 542 | 141 |
| 71 | Waitara East School Waitara · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 20.6 Lower 50% | 532 | 204 |
| 72 | Ramanui School Hāwera · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 13.6 Lower 50% | 556 | 62 |
Other schools in Taranaki
Schools without a rank: fewer than 60 students, no published Equity Index (EQI), or a school type that is not scored.
53.5
St Patrick's School (Kaponga)
Kaponga · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
27 students
44.6
Whenuakura School
Patea · State contributing · Years 1–6
30 students
41.9
Waitoriki School
Inglewood · State full primary · Years 1–8
30 students
39.3
Hāwera Christian School
Hāwera · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
49 students
39.3
Ratapiko School
Ratapiko · State full primary · Years 1–8
24 students
36.6
Makahu School
Makahu · State full primary · Years 1–8
18 students
35.1
Mimi School
Mimi · State contributing · Years 1–6
25 students
35.1
Rawhitiroa School
Eltham · State full primary · Years 1–8
43 students
34.9
Uruti School
New Plymouth · State full primary · Years 1–8
6 students
34.3
Mokoia School
Mokoia · State contributing · Years 1–6
24 students
32.7
Ngamatapouri School
Waitotara · State full primary · Years 1–8
8 students
27.7
Waitotara School
Waitotara · State full primary · Years 1–8
42 students
25.6
Huiakama School
Stratford · State full primary · Years 1–8
8 students
25.0
Kaponga School
Kaponga · State full primary · Years 1–8
45 students
20.6
Ahititi School
Ahititi · State full primary · Years 1–8
14 students
16.4
Avon School
Stratford · State full primary · Years 1–8
58 students
13.7
Manaia School (Taranaki)
Manaia · State full primary · Years 1–8
54 students
13.1
TKKM o Tamarongo
Opunake · State full primary · Years 1–8
24 students
13.0
St Joseph's School (Patea)
Patea · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
5 students
–
Green School New Zealand
Omata · Private composite · Years 1–13
93 students
–
Stratford High School Teen Parent Unit
Stratford · State teen parent unit
–
Taranaki Activity Centre
New Plymouth · State activity centre
Compare the top 4 schools in Taranaki side by side →
Territorial authoritys in Taranaki
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Taranaki?
Oakura School is the highest-ranked school in Taranaki with a Success Index (NZ) of 81.1 out of 100 (Top 10% of full primary schools in New Zealand).
How many schools are in Taranaki?
Taranaki has 94 schools (42 full primary, 3 secondary (year 7-15), 30 contributing, 8 secondary (year 9-15), 3 intermediate, 6 composite, 1 teen parent unit, 1 activity centre) educating 21,581 students in 2026.
What is the typical Equity Index (EQI) in Taranaki?
The median Equity Index (EQI) across schools in Taranaki is 473. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.