Aurora College vs New River Primary
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Southland, New Zealand, 2.0 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Aurora College
Invercargill · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
579 students
New River Primary
Kew · State contributing · Years 1–6
229 students
| Measure | Aurora College Invercargill, Southland | New River Primary Kew, Southland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 18 Lower 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #13 of 14 | #41 of 48 |
| National rank | #450 of 486 | #1282 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 579 | 229 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 545 | 522 |
| Total roll | 579 | 229 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 30.6% | 2.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 45% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 20.2% | – |
| Māori students | 38.5% | 33.6% |
| Pacific students | 10.5% | 24.5% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Invercargill | Kew |
| region | Southland | Southland |
| Website | www.auroracollege.school.nz | newriver.school.nz |
The verdict
- •New River Primary scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (31.9 vs 18.4).
- •New River Primary does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (522 vs 545).
- •Aurora College does better on roll size (579 vs 229).
- •Aurora College does better on roll growth (5 years) (30.6% vs 2.6%).
- •Aurora College is the larger school with 579 students compared with 229.
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 Aurora College better than New River Primary?
On the Success Index (NZ), New River Primary ranks higher (31.9 vs 18.4 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 Aurora College and New River Primary?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Invercargill and Kew in Southland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Aurora College: 545. New River Primary: 522. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Aurora College and New River Primary rank in Southland?
Aurora College is 13th of 14 and New River Primary is 41st of 48 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).