St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) vs Tirau Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 8.3 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru)
Putaruru · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
177 students
Tirau Primary School
Tirau · State contributing · Years 1–6
127 students
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) Putaruru, Waikato | Tirau Primary School Tirau, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 46 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #98 of 179 | #120 of 179 |
| National rank | #963 of 1,559 | #1094 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State |
| Type | Full Primary | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 177 | 127 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 455 | 477 |
| Total roll | 177 | 127 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -5.4% | 1.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 24.9% | 32.3% |
| Pacific students | 6.2% | 8.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Putaruru | Tirau |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.stmarysput.school.nz | www.tirau.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (46.4 vs 40.7).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (455 vs 477).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) does better on roll size (177 vs 127).
- •Tirau Primary School does better on roll growth (5 years) (1.6% vs -5.4%).
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) is the larger school with 177 students compared with 127.
- •St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) is a state integrated school while Tirau Primary School is a state 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 St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) better than Tirau Primary School?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) ranks higher (46.4 vs 40.7 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 St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) and Tirau Primary School?
About 8.3 km in a straight line, between Putaruru and Tirau in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru): 455. Tirau Primary School: 477. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) and Tirau Primary School rank in Waikato?
St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) is 98th of 179 and Tirau Primary School is 120th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).