Bream Bay College vs Whangarei Heads School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northland, New Zealand, 8.1 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Bream Bay College
Ruakaka · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
617 students
Whangarei Heads School
Whangarei Heads · State full primary · Years 1–8
148 students
| Measure | Bream Bay College Ruakaka, Northland | Whangarei Heads School Whangarei Heads, Northland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 43 Lower 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #7 of 37 | #3 of 72 |
| National rank | #278 of 486 | #340 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 617 | 148 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 482 | 408 |
| Total roll | 617 | 148 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 11.2% | 16% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 71.9% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 42.7% | – |
| Māori students | 41.3% | 15.5% |
| Pacific students | 8.8% | 2.7% |
| International students | 1.3% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Ruakaka | Whangarei Heads |
| region | Northland | Northland |
| Website | www.breambaycollege.school.nz/ | www.whangareiheads.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Whangarei Heads School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (72.1 vs 43.1).
- •Whangarei Heads School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (408 vs 482).
- •Bream Bay College does better on roll size (617 vs 148).
- •Whangarei Heads School does better on roll growth (5 years) (16% vs 11.2%).
- •Bream Bay College is the larger school with 617 students compared with 148.
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 Bream Bay College better than Whangarei Heads School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Whangarei Heads School ranks higher (72.1 vs 43.1 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 Bream Bay College and Whangarei Heads School?
About 8.1 km in a straight line, between Ruakaka and Whangarei Heads in Northland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Bream Bay College: 482. Whangarei Heads School: 408. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Bream Bay College and Whangarei Heads School rank in Northland?
Bream Bay College is 7th of 37 and Whangarei Heads School is 3rd of 72 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Northland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).