Darfield High School vs Mackenzie College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 7-15) schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 123 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Darfield High School
Darfield · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
821 students
Mackenzie College
Fairlie · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
195 students
| Measure | Darfield High School Darfield, Canterbury | Mackenzie College Fairlie, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 64 Top 50% | 48 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #21 of 57 | #42 of 57 |
| National rank | #142 of 486 | #248 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 821 | 195 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 447 | 451 |
| Total roll | 821 | 195 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 2.8% | 8.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 88.1% | 70.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 50.5% | 44.1% |
| Māori students | 14.1% | 10.8% |
| Pacific students | 3.3% | 3.1% |
| International students | 3.3% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Darfield | Fairlie |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.darfield.school.nz | www.mackcollege.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Darfield High School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (64.4 vs 48.1).
- •Darfield High School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (447 vs 451).
- •Darfield High School does better on roll size (821 vs 195).
- •Mackenzie College does better on roll growth (5 years) (8.2% vs 2.8%).
- •Darfield High School does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (88.1% vs 70.6%).
- •Darfield High School is the larger school with 821 students compared with 195.
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 Darfield High School better than Mackenzie College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Darfield High School ranks higher (64.4 vs 48.1 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 Darfield High School and Mackenzie College?
About 123 km in a straight line, between Darfield and Fairlie in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Darfield High School: 447. Mackenzie College: 451. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Darfield High School and Mackenzie College rank in Canterbury?
Darfield High School is 21st of 57 and Mackenzie College is 42nd of 57 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).