Hamilton Girls' High School vs Mercury Bay Area School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 112 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hamilton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,783 students
Mercury Bay Area School
Whitianga · State composite · Years 1–13
877 students
| Measure | Hamilton Girls' High School Hamilton, Waikato | Mercury Bay Area School Whitianga, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 66 Top 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #11 of 58 | #25 of 58 |
| National rank | #128 of 486 | #296 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Composite |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 1,783 | 877 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 463 | 465 |
| Total roll | 1,783 | 877 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 5.8% | -15.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 89.5% | 68.8% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 67% | 46.8% |
| Māori students | 31.6% | 26.9% |
| Pacific students | 14.2% | 3.1% |
| International students | 1.7% | 2.7% |
| suburb or town | Hamilton | Whitianga |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.hghs.school.nz | www.mbas.ac.nz |
The verdict
- •Hamilton Girls' High School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (66.3 vs 41.1).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (463 vs 465).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School does better on roll size (1,783 vs 877).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School does better on roll growth (5 years) (5.8% vs -15.2%).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (89.5% vs 68.8%).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School is the larger school with 1,783 students compared with 877.
- •Hamilton Girls' High School is girls and Mercury Bay Area School is co-educational.
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 Hamilton Girls' High School better than Mercury Bay Area School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Hamilton Girls' High School ranks higher (66.3 vs 41.1 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 Hamilton Girls' High School and Mercury Bay Area School?
About 112 km in a straight line, between Hamilton and Whitianga in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hamilton Girls' High School: 463. Mercury Bay Area School: 465. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hamilton Girls' High School and Mercury Bay Area School rank in Waikato?
Hamilton Girls' High School is 11th of 58 and Mercury Bay Area School is 25th of 58 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).