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Hokowhitu School vs St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi

A head-to-head comparison of two contributing schools in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand, 457 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureHokowhitu School
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui
St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi
Hokowhitu, Manawatū-Whanganui
Success Index (NZ)
63
Top 50%
66
Top 50%
Region rank#17 of 111#10 of 111
National rank#561 of 1,559#476 of 1,559
SectorStateState integrated
TypeContributingContributing
Year rangeYears 1–6Years 1–6
Students385143
Equity Index (EQI)426410
Total roll385143
Roll growth (5 yrs)-2.6%-14.8%
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+––
Leavers with NCEA Level 3+––
Leavers with University Entrance––
Māori students19.2%18.2%
Pacific students5.7%11.2%
International students0%0%
suburb or townPalmerston NorthHokowhitu
regionManawatū-WhanganuiManawatū-Whanganui
Websitewww.hokowhitu.school.nzwww.stjamescatholic.school.nz

The verdict

  • •St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (66.0 vs 62.8).
  • •St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (410 vs 426).
  • •Hokowhitu School does better on roll size (385 vs 143).
  • •Hokowhitu School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-2.6% vs -14.8%).
  • •Hokowhitu School is the larger school with 385 students compared with 143.
  • •Hokowhitu School is a state school while St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi 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 Hokowhitu School better than St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi?

On the Success Index (NZ), St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi ranks higher (66.0 vs 62.8 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 Hokowhitu School and St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi?

About 457 m in a straight line, between Palmerston North and Hokowhitu in Manawatū-Whanganui.

Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?

Hokowhitu School: 426. St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi: 410. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.

How do Hokowhitu School and St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi rank in Manawatū-Whanganui?

Hokowhitu School is 17th of 111 and St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi is 10th of 111 among contributing schools in Manawatū-Whanganui on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).