Papakowhai School vs Porirua Montessori Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 1.6 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Papakowhai School
Papakowhai · State full primary · Years 1–8
476 students
Porirua Montessori Primary School
Whitby · Private full primary · Years 1–8
15 students
| Measure | Papakowhai School Papakowhai, Wellington | Porirua Montessori Primary School Whitby, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 77 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| Region rank | #37 of 176 | – |
| National rank | #231 of 1,559 | – |
| Sector | State | Private |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 476 | 15 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 387 | – |
| Total roll | 476 | 15 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -7.7% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 11.8% | 40% |
| Pacific students | 9.7% | 26.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Papakowhai | Whitby |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.papakowhai.school.nz | www.poriruamontessori.org/ |
The verdict
- •Papakowhai School does better on roll size (476 vs 15).
- •Papakowhai School is the larger school with 476 students compared with 15.
- •Papakowhai School is a state school while Porirua Montessori Primary School is a private 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Papakowhai School better than Porirua Montessori Primary School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Papakowhai School and Porirua Montessori Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Papakowhai and Whitby in Wellington.
How do Papakowhai School and Porirua Montessori Primary School rank in Wellington?
Papakowhai School is 37th of 176 and Porirua Montessori Primary School is unranked among full primary schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).