Burnside High School vs Wairakei School (Christchurch)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 1.2 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Burnside High School
Burnside · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
2,736 students
Wairakei School (Christchurch)
Bryndwr · State contributing · Years 1–6
210 students
| Measure | Burnside High School Burnside, Canterbury | Wairakei School (Christchurch) Bryndwr, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 80 Top 10% | 37 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #6 of 57 | #170 of 187 |
| National rank | #49 of 486 | #1173 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 2,736 | 210 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 416 | 478 |
| Total roll | 2,736 | 210 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 3.6% | -3.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 88.6% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 74.5% | – |
| Māori students | 7.1% | 33.8% |
| Pacific students | 4.2% | 6.7% |
| International students | 6.2% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Burnside | Bryndwr |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.burnside.school.nz | www.wairakeichch.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Burnside High School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (79.9 vs 36.9).
- •Burnside High School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (416 vs 478).
- •Burnside High School does better on roll size (2,736 vs 210).
- •Burnside High School does better on roll growth (5 years) (3.6% vs -3.2%).
- •Burnside High School is the larger school with 2,736 students compared with 210.
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 Burnside High School better than Wairakei School (Christchurch)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Burnside High School ranks higher (79.9 vs 36.9 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 Burnside High School and Wairakei School (Christchurch)?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Burnside and Bryndwr in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Burnside High School: 416. Wairakei School (Christchurch): 478. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Burnside High School and Wairakei School (Christchurch) rank in Canterbury?
Burnside High School is 6th of 57 and Wairakei School (Christchurch) is 170th of 187 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).