Mercury Bay Area School vs Taupo-nui-a-Tia College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 207 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Mercury Bay Area School
Whitianga · State composite · Years 1–13
877 students
Taupo-nui-a-Tia College
Taupo · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,186 students
| Measure | Mercury Bay Area School Whitianga, Waikato | Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Taupo, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 41 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #25 of 58 | #15 of 58 |
| National rank | #296 of 486 | #199 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Composite | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 1–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 877 | 1,186 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 465 | 463 |
| Total roll | 877 | 1,186 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -15.2% | 15.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 68.8% | 76.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 46.8% | 51.3% |
| Māori students | 26.9% | 31.7% |
| Pacific students | 3.1% | 4.2% |
| International students | 2.7% | 2.4% |
| suburb or town | Whitianga | Taupo |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.mbas.ac.nz | www.taupocollege.ac.nz |
The verdict
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (55.0 vs 41.1).
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (463 vs 465).
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College does better on roll size (1,186 vs 877).
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College does better on roll growth (5 years) (15.2% vs -15.2%).
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (76.4% vs 68.8%).
- •Taupo-nui-a-Tia College is the larger school with 1,186 students compared with 877.
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 Mercury Bay Area School better than Taupo-nui-a-Tia College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Taupo-nui-a-Tia College ranks higher (55.0 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 Mercury Bay Area School and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College?
About 207 km in a straight line, between Whitianga and Taupo in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Mercury Bay Area School: 465. Taupo-nui-a-Tia College: 463. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Mercury Bay Area School and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College rank in Waikato?
Mercury Bay Area School is 25th of 58 and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College is 15th of 58 among composite schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).