Parua Bay School vs Whangarei Heads School
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Northland, New Zealand, 6.7 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Parua Bay School
Parua Bay · State full primary · Years 1–8
297 students
Whangarei Heads School
Whangarei Heads · State full primary · Years 1–8
148 students
| Measure | Parua Bay School Parua Bay, Northland | Whangarei Heads School Whangarei Heads, Northland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 59 Top 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #11 of 72 | #3 of 72 |
| National rank | #658 of 1,559 | #340 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 297 | 148 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 432 | 408 |
| Total roll | 297 | 148 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -5.9% | 16% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 23.9% | 15.5% |
| Pacific students | 3% | 2.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Parua Bay | Whangarei Heads |
| region | Northland | Northland |
| Website | www.paruabay.school.nz | www.whangareiheads.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Whangarei Heads School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (72.1 vs 58.6).
- •Whangarei Heads School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (408 vs 432).
- •Parua Bay School does better on roll size (297 vs 148).
- •Whangarei Heads School does better on roll growth (5 years) (16% vs -5.9%).
- •Parua Bay School is the larger school with 297 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 Parua Bay School better than Whangarei Heads School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Whangarei Heads School ranks higher (72.1 vs 58.6 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 Parua Bay School and Whangarei Heads School?
About 6.7 km in a straight line, between Parua Bay and Whangarei Heads in Northland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Parua Bay School: 432. Whangarei Heads School: 408. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Parua Bay School and Whangarei Heads School rank in Northland?
Parua Bay School is 11th of 72 and Whangarei Heads School is 3rd of 72 among full primary schools in Northland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).