Aurora College vs Verdon College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 7-15) 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
Verdon College
Invercargill · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
684 students
| Measure | Aurora College Invercargill, Southland | Verdon College Invercargill, Southland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 18 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #13 of 14 | #7 of 14 |
| National rank | #450 of 486 | #213 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 579 | 684 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 545 | 464 |
| Total roll | 579 | 684 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 30.6% | -0.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 45% | 88.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 20.2% | 61.1% |
| Māori students | 38.5% | 19% |
| Pacific students | 10.5% | 8.5% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Invercargill | Invercargill |
| region | Southland | Southland |
| Website | www.auroracollege.school.nz | www.verdoncollege.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Verdon College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (53.4 vs 18.4).
- •Verdon College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (464 vs 545).
- •Verdon College does better on roll size (684 vs 579).
- •Aurora College does better on roll growth (5 years) (30.6% vs -0.9%).
- •Verdon College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (88.5% vs 45%).
- •Verdon College is the larger school with 684 students compared with 579.
- •Aurora College is a state school while Verdon College 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 Aurora College better than Verdon College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Verdon College ranks higher (53.4 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 Verdon College?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Invercargill and Invercargill in Southland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Aurora College: 545. Verdon College: 464. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Aurora College and Verdon College rank in Southland?
Aurora College is 13th of 14 and Verdon College is 7th of 14 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).