Whanganui High School
🇳🇿 Official data · 2026Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui 4541 · Whanganui District
#8 of 33 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui
#197 of 486 nationally
About Whanganui High School
Whanganui High School is a state secondary (year 9-15) located in Whanganui, in the Whanganui District territorial authority of Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand. It caters for Years 9–13. In 2026 it enrolled 1,475 students. Government-funded schools, free to attend apart from donations and activity fees.
Its Success Index (NZ) is 55.1 out of 100, placing it in the top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand and 8th of 33 ranked secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui. Its strongest component is roll size (87th percentile), and its weakest is equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (46th percentile).
Other published figures: māori students 31.4%; pacific students 5.4%; international students 3.1%.
There are 18 schools in Whanganui; Whanganui High School ranks 4th of 16 scored schools there.
Success Index (NZ) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against secondary (year 9-15) schools across New Zealand.
- Equity Index (fewer barriers is higher) (45%)482
- Roll size (10%)1,475
- Roll growth (5 years) (15%)8.4%
- School leavers with NCEA Level 2+ (20%)81.9%
- School leavers with University Entrance (10%)63.5%
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published data about a school community. It is not a measure of teaching quality. Read the methodology.
Published measures
All figures published for Whanganui High School by the official sources.
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 482
- Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
- Total roll
- 1,475
- Total enrolled students.
- Roll growth (5 yrs)
- 8.4%
- Change in total roll over five years.
- Leavers with NCEA Level 2+
- 81.9%
- Share of school leavers who attained at least NCEA Level 2 before leaving.
- Leavers with University Entrance
- 63.5%
- Share of school leavers who attained the University Entrance award.
- Māori students
- 31.4%
- Share of roll identifying as Māori.
- Pacific students
- 5.4%
- Share of roll identifying as Pacific peoples.
- International students
- 3.1%
- Share of roll who are international fee-paying students.
Total roll trend
How total roll at Whanganui High School has changed over time.
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ trend
How leavers with ncea level 2+ at Whanganui High School has changed over time.
Leavers with University Entrance trend
How leavers with university entrance at Whanganui High School has changed over time.
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Schools near Whanganui High School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (NZ).
Carlton School
Whanganui · State contributing · Years 1–6
265 students · 166 m away
Whanganui Collegiate School
Whanganui · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
371 students · 735 m away
St George's School
Whanganui · Private full primary · Years 1–8
137 students · 769 m away
Arahunga School
Tawhero · State special school
124 students · 861 m away
St Anthony's School (Wanganui)
Whanganui · Private composite · Years 1–13
91 students · 908 m away
St Dominic's College
Gonville · Private secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
51 students · 982 m away
Gonville School
Gonville · State contributing · Years 1–6
177 students · 1.0 km away
Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School
Tawhero · State intermediate · Years 7–8
143 students · 1.0 km away
Whanganui Intermediate
Whanganui · State intermediate · Years 7–8
415 students · 1.1 km away
Whanganui City College
Whanganui · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
286 students · 1.3 km away
Similar schools
State secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui with a comparable Equity Index (EQI).
Freyberg High School
Roslyn · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
936 students
Feilding High School
Feilding · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,650 students
Awatapu College
West End · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
869 students
Whanganui Girls' College
Whanganui East · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
362 students
Manukura
Palmerston North · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
188 students
Horowhenua College
Levin · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
893 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Whanganui High School a good school?
Whanganui High School has a Success Index (NZ) of 55.1 out of 100 (Top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand) and ranks #8 of 33 in Manawatū-Whanganui. The index summarises published data about the school community and, where available, attainment; it does not measure teaching quality, so visit the school and ask about support at your child's level.
Where does Whanganui High School rank in Manawatū-Whanganui?
Whanganui High School ranks #8 of 33 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui and #197 of 486 nationally on the Success Index (NZ) (2026 data).
How many students attend Whanganui High School?
Whanganui High School had 1,475 students in 2026, a change of +8% over five years.
Is Whanganui High School a primary school or a secondary school?
Whanganui High School is classified as a secondary (year 9-15) covering Years 9–13. It is a state school.
What other schools are near Whanganui High School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Whanganui High School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (NZ) and distance, and can be compared side by side.