Kōwhai School vs St Joseph's School (Hastings)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 412 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Kōwhai School
Akina · State special school
131 students
St Joseph's School (Hastings)
Akina · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
274 students
| Measure | Kōwhai School Akina, Hawke's Bay | St Joseph's School (Hastings) Akina, Hawke's Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | – Not rated | 75 Top 25% |
| Region rank | – | #2 of 69 |
| National rank | – | #280 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Special School | Full Primary |
| Year range | – | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 131 | 274 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 517 | 418 |
| Total roll | 131 | 274 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 23.1% | 33.3% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 55.7% | 15% |
| Pacific students | 16% | 7.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Akina | Akina |
| region | Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay |
| Website | www.kowhaispecial.school.nz | www.stjos.school.nz/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School (Hastings) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (418 vs 517).
- •St Joseph's School (Hastings) does better on roll size (274 vs 131).
- •St Joseph's School (Hastings) does better on roll growth (5 years) (33.3% vs 23.1%).
- •St Joseph's School (Hastings) is the larger school with 274 students compared with 131.
- •Kōwhai School is a state school while St Joseph's 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 Kōwhai School better than St Joseph's School (Hastings)?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Kōwhai School and St Joseph's School (Hastings)?
About 412 m in a straight line, between Akina and Akina in Hawke's Bay.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Kōwhai School: 517. St Joseph's School (Hastings): 418. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Kōwhai School and St Joseph's School (Hastings) rank in Hawke's Bay?
Kōwhai School is unranked and St Joseph's School (Hastings) is 2nd of 69 among special school schools in Hawke's Bay on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).