Darfield School vs Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 39 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Darfield School
Darfield · State contributing · Years 1–6
329 students
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate
Riccarton · State intermediate · Years 7–8
291 students
| Measure | Darfield School Darfield, Canterbury | Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate Riccarton, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 71 Top 25% | 59 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #52 of 187 | #99 of 187 |
| National rank | #367 of 1,559 | #636 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Contributing | Intermediate |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 7–8 |
| Students | 329 | 291 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 430 | 430 |
| Total roll | 329 | 291 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 34.3% | -22.8% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 13.4% | 10.3% |
| Pacific students | 3.3% | 6.2% |
| International students | 0% | 4.5% |
| suburb or town | Darfield | Riccarton |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.darfieldprimary.school.nz/ | www.kirkwood.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Darfield School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (71.0 vs 59.4).
- •Darfield School does better on roll size (329 vs 291).
- •Darfield School does better on roll growth (5 years) (34.3% vs -22.8%).
- •Darfield School is the larger school with 329 students compared with 291.
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 School better than Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate?
On the Success Index (NZ), Darfield School ranks higher (71.0 vs 59.4 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 Darfield School and Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate?
About 39 km in a straight line, between Darfield and Riccarton in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Darfield School: 430. Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate: 430. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Darfield School and Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate rank in Canterbury?
Darfield School is 52nd of 187 and Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate is 99th of 187 among contributing schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).