St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) vs St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 46 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay)
Waipukurau ยท State integrated full primary ยท Years 1โ8
108 students
St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
Hastings ยท State integrated full primary ยท Years 1โ8
160 students
| Measure | St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay | St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) Hastings, Hawke's Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 55 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #23 of 69 | #16 of 69 |
| National rank | #766 of 1,559 | #596 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1โ8 | Years 1โ8 |
| Students | 108 | 160 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 436 | 436 |
| Total roll | 108 | 160 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -9% | 23.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with University Entrance | โ | โ |
| Mฤori students | 23.1% | 8.1% |
| Pacific students | 0.9% | 21.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Waipukurau | Hastings |
| region | Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay |
| Website | www.stjosephschb.school.nz | www.stmatthewsprimary.school.nz |
The verdict
- โขSt Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (61.5 vs 54.5).
- โขSt Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) does better on roll size (160 vs 108).
- โขSt Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) does better on roll growth (5 years) (23.6% vs -9%).
- โขSt Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) is the larger school with 160 students compared with 108.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) better than St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) ranks higher (61.5 vs 54.5 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 St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
About 46 km in a straight line, between Waipukurau and Hastings in Hawke's Bay.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay): 436. St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings): 436. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) rank in Hawke's Bay?
St Joseph's School (Central Hawke's Bay) is 23rd of 69 and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) is 16th of 69 among full primary schools in Hawke's Bay on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).