Hastings Central School vs St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 507 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hastings Central School
Hastings · State contributing · Years 1–6
231 students
St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
Hastings · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
160 students
| Measure | Hastings Central School Hastings, Hawke's Bay | St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) Hastings, Hawke's Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 32 Lower 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #45 of 69 | #16 of 69 |
| National rank | #1280 of 1,559 | #596 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 231 | 160 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 522 | 436 |
| Total roll | 231 | 160 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 1% | 23.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 42% | 8.1% |
| Pacific students | 21.6% | 21.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Hastings | Hastings |
| region | Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay |
| Website | www.hastings-central.school.nz | www.stmatthewsprimary.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (61.5 vs 31.9).
- •St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (436 vs 522).
- •Hastings Central School does better on roll size (231 vs 160).
- •St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) does better on roll growth (5 years) (23.6% vs 1%).
- •Hastings Central School is the larger school with 231 students compared with 160.
- •Hastings Central School is a state school while St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) 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 Hastings Central School better than St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) ranks higher (61.5 vs 31.9 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 Hastings Central School and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
About 507 m in a straight line, between Hastings and Hastings in Hawke's Bay.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hastings Central School: 522. St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings): 436. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hastings Central School and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) rank in Hawke's Bay?
Hastings Central School is 45th of 69 and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) is 16th of 69 among contributing schools in Hawke's Bay on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).