Matapu School vs St Patrick's School (Kaponga)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Taranaki, New Zealand, 8.5 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Matapu School
Hāwera · State full primary · Years 1–8
146 students
St Patrick's School (Kaponga)
Kaponga · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
27 students
| Measure | Matapu School Hāwera, Taranaki | St Patrick's School (Kaponga) Kaponga, Taranaki |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 46 Lower 50% | 54 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #28 of 56 | – |
| National rank | #970 of 1,559 | – |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 146 | 27 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 467 | 437 |
| Total roll | 146 | 27 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 5.9% | 37.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 16.4% | 14.8% |
| Pacific students | 0.7% | 0% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Hāwera | Kaponga |
| region | Taranaki | Taranaki |
| Website | www.matapu.school.nz | – |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's School (Kaponga) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (53.5 vs 46.1).
- •St Patrick's School (Kaponga) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (437 vs 467).
- •Matapu School does better on roll size (146 vs 27).
- •St Patrick's School (Kaponga) does better on roll growth (5 years) (37.5% vs 5.9%).
- •Matapu School is the larger school with 146 students compared with 27.
- •Matapu School is a state school while St Patrick's School (Kaponga) 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 Matapu School better than St Patrick's School (Kaponga)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Patrick's School (Kaponga) ranks higher (53.5 vs 46.1 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 Matapu School and St Patrick's School (Kaponga)?
About 8.5 km in a straight line, between Hāwera and Kaponga in Taranaki.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Matapu School: 467. St Patrick's School (Kaponga): 437. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Matapu School and St Patrick's School (Kaponga) rank in Taranaki?
Matapu School is 28th of 56 and St Patrick's School (Kaponga) is unranked among full primary schools in Taranaki on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).