Makaraka School vs Sonrise Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Gisborne, New Zealand, 3.0 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Makaraka School
Makaraka · State contributing · Years 1–6
100 students
Sonrise Christian School
Gisborne · State integrated composite · Years 1–13
145 students
| Measure | Makaraka School Makaraka, Gisborne | Sonrise Christian School Gisborne, Gisborne |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 50 Top 50% | 45 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #5 of 18 | #2 of 15 |
| National rank | #865 of 1,559 | #265 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Composite |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 100 | 145 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 444 | 480 |
| Total roll | 100 | 145 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -18% | 31.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 42% | 40.7% |
| Pacific students | 3% | 11.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Makaraka | Gisborne |
| region | Gisborne | Gisborne |
| Website | www.makaraka.school.nz | www.sonrise.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Makaraka School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (50.0 vs 45.3).
- •Makaraka School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (444 vs 480).
- •Sonrise Christian School does better on roll size (145 vs 100).
- •Sonrise Christian School does better on roll growth (5 years) (31.4% vs -18%).
- •Sonrise Christian School is the larger school with 145 students compared with 100.
- •Makaraka School is a state school while Sonrise Christian School is a state integrated 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 Makaraka School better than Sonrise Christian School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Makaraka School ranks higher (50.0 vs 45.3 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 Makaraka School and Sonrise Christian School?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Makaraka and Gisborne in Gisborne.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Makaraka School: 444. Sonrise Christian School: 480. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Makaraka School and Sonrise Christian School rank in Gisborne?
Makaraka School is 5th of 18 and Sonrise Christian School is 2nd of 15 among contributing schools in Gisborne on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).