St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) vs St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 2.0 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings)
Mahora · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
289 students
St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
Hastings · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
160 students
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) Mahora, Hawke's Bay | St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) Hastings, Hawke's Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 74 Top 25% | 62 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #4 of 69 | #16 of 69 |
| National rank | #299 of 1,559 | #596 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 289 | 160 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 421 | 436 |
| Total roll | 289 | 160 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 4.8% | 23.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 13.1% | 8.1% |
| Pacific students | 11.8% | 21.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Mahora | Hastings |
| region | Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay |
| Website | www.stmaryshastings.school.nz | www.stmatthewsprimary.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (74.1 vs 61.5).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (421 vs 436).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) does better on roll size (289 vs 160).
- •St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) does better on roll growth (5 years) (23.6% vs 4.8%).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) is the larger school with 289 students compared with 160.
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 Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) better than St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) ranks higher (74.1 vs 61.5 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 Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Mahora and Hastings in Hawke's Bay.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings): 421. 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 Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) and St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings) rank in Hawke's Bay?
St Mary's Catholic School (Hastings) is 4th 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).