Sacred Heart School (Timaru) vs Waimataitai School
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 1.7 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart School (Timaru)
Timaru · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
232 students
Waimataitai School
Timaru · State full primary · Years 1–8
475 students
| Measure | Sacred Heart School (Timaru) Timaru, Canterbury | Waimataitai School Timaru, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 64 Top 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #78 of 187 | #148 of 187 |
| National rank | #529 of 1,559 | #967 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 232 | 475 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 438 | 464 |
| Total roll | 232 | 475 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 17.3% | -3.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 15.9% | 15.8% |
| Pacific students | 9.1% | 10.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Timaru | Timaru |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.sacredhearttim.school.nz | www.waimataitai.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart School (Timaru) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (64.0 vs 46.3).
- •Sacred Heart School (Timaru) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (438 vs 464).
- •Waimataitai School does better on roll size (475 vs 232).
- •Sacred Heart School (Timaru) does better on roll growth (5 years) (17.3% vs -3.7%).
- •Waimataitai School is the larger school with 475 students compared with 232.
- •Sacred Heart School (Timaru) is a state integrated school while Waimataitai School is a state school, so fees and admission rules differ.
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 Sacred Heart School (Timaru) better than Waimataitai School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Sacred Heart School (Timaru) ranks higher (64.0 vs 46.3 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 Sacred Heart School (Timaru) and Waimataitai School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Timaru and Timaru in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Sacred Heart School (Timaru): 438. Waimataitai School: 464. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Sacred Heart School (Timaru) and Waimataitai School rank in Canterbury?
Sacred Heart School (Timaru) is 78th of 187 and Waimataitai School is 148th of 187 among full primary schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).