Kawerau South School vs Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)
A head-to-head comparison of two contributing schools in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 43 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Kawerau South School
Kawerau · State contributing · Years 1–6
346 students
Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)
Western Heights · State contributing · Years 1–6
432 students
| Measure | Kawerau South School Kawerau, Bay of Plenty | Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua) Western Heights, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 28 Lower 50% | 22 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #82 of 101 | #87 of 101 |
| National rank | #1381 of 1,559 | #1473 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Contributing | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 346 | 432 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 536 | 536 |
| Total roll | 346 | 432 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 0.3% | -7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 88.7% | 76.4% |
| Pacific students | 4.6% | 20.1% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Kawerau | Western Heights |
| region | Bay of Plenty | Bay of Plenty |
| Website | www.kss.school.nz/ | whp.school.nz. |
The verdict
- •Kawerau South School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (27.6 vs 22.4).
- •Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua) does better on roll size (432 vs 346).
- •Kawerau South School does better on roll growth (5 years) (0.3% vs -7%).
- •Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua) is the larger school with 432 students compared with 346.
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 Kawerau South School better than Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Kawerau South School ranks higher (27.6 vs 22.4 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 Kawerau South School and Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)?
About 43 km in a straight line, between Kawerau and Western Heights in Bay of Plenty.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Kawerau South School: 536. Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua): 536. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Kawerau South School and Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua) rank in Bay of Plenty?
Kawerau South School is 82nd of 101 and Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua) is 87th of 101 among contributing schools in Bay of Plenty on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).