Golden Sands School vs Papamoa College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 3.3 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Golden Sands School
Papamoa Beach · State contributing · Years 1–6
505 students
Papamoa College
Papamoa · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
1,883 students
| Measure | Golden Sands School Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty | Papamoa College Papamoa, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 64 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #20 of 101 | #7 of 34 |
| National rank | #521 of 1,559 | #161 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Contributing | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 505 | 1,883 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 426 | 458 |
| Total roll | 505 | 1,883 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -20.2% | 16.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | 78.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | 61.6% |
| Māori students | 22.6% | 22.9% |
| Pacific students | 2.8% | 4.5% |
| International students | 0% | 4.5% |
| suburb or town | Papamoa Beach | Papamoa |
| region | Bay of Plenty | Bay of Plenty |
| Website | www.goldensands.school.nz/ | www.papamoacollege.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Golden Sands School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (64.3 vs 61.2).
- •Golden Sands School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (426 vs 458).
- •Papamoa College does better on roll size (1,883 vs 505).
- •Papamoa College does better on roll growth (5 years) (16.2% vs -20.2%).
- •Papamoa College is the larger school with 1,883 students compared with 505.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Golden Sands School better than Papamoa College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Golden Sands School ranks higher (64.3 vs 61.2 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Golden Sands School and Papamoa College?
About 3.3 km in a straight line, between Papamoa Beach and Papamoa in Bay of Plenty.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Golden Sands School: 426. Papamoa College: 458. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Golden Sands School and Papamoa College rank in Bay of Plenty?
Golden Sands School is 20th of 101 and Papamoa College is 7th of 34 among contributing schools in Bay of Plenty on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).