Mairehau High School vs St Bede's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 9-15) schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 2.8 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Mairehau High School
Christchurch · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
407 students
St Bede's College
Papanui · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
795 students
| Measure | Mairehau High School Christchurch, Canterbury | St Bede's College Papanui, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 30 Lower 50% | 74 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #56 of 57 | #14 of 57 |
| National rank | #380 of 486 | #79 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 407 | 795 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 510 | 415 |
| Total roll | 407 | 795 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 13.9% | 0% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 54.2% | 94.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 36.1% | 68.2% |
| Māori students | 26% | 14.1% |
| Pacific students | 8.8% | 6.3% |
| International students | 0.5% | 3.6% |
| suburb or town | Christchurch | Papanui |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.mairehau.school.nz | www.stbedes.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Bede's College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (73.8 vs 29.5).
- •St Bede's College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (415 vs 510).
- •St Bede's College does better on roll size (795 vs 407).
- •Mairehau High School does better on roll growth (5 years) (13.9% vs 0%).
- •St Bede's College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (94.7% vs 54.2%).
- •St Bede's College is the larger school with 795 students compared with 407.
- •Mairehau High School is a state school while St Bede's College is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Mairehau High School is co-educational and St Bede's College is boys.
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 Mairehau High School better than St Bede's College?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Bede's College ranks higher (73.8 vs 29.5 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 Mairehau High School and St Bede's College?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Christchurch and Papanui in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Mairehau High School: 510. St Bede's College: 415. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Mairehau High School and St Bede's College rank in Canterbury?
Mairehau High School is 56th of 57 and St Bede's College is 14th of 57 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).