Aotea College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · State
- Year levels
- 9–13
- Total roll
- 1,365
- Enrolment zone
- Yes
- Gender
- Co-Educational
Where is it, and how do I get in touch?
- Address
- Okowai Road, Porirua
- Territorial authority
- Porirua City
- Phone
- 04-2373166
- enquiries@aotea.school.nz
- Website
- http://www.aotea.school.nz
- Directions
- Get directions
Other schools nearby: schools in Wellington Region
Can my child go here?
This school has an enrolment scheme, so a place is not open to every address. How enrolment zones work
Loading zone map…
Zone boundaries shown here are approximate. Ministry of Education data warns these boundaries do not have high spatial precision and can place neighbouring addresses on different sides of a line. This is not a confirmation of enrolment eligibility — always confirm directly with the school. Zone geometry also does not reflect enrolment priority rules (siblings, special character categories, ballots) — it shows the mapped boundary only.
Check if your address is in zone →
Source: Ministry of Education, CC BY 3.0 NZ
What would the day look like?
The practical things this school states on its own website — the hours, the uniform, the term dates, and how children get there. These are the school’s own words, not the Ministry’s record and not ERO’s.
Quoted from this school’s own website, as we read it on 13 August 2026. A web page carries no date of its own, so that is the day we read it — not a statement that any of this is still the case. Each line quotes the words it came from.
- Uniform
Not stated on the school’s website.
- Where to buy the uniform
- https://www.argyleonline.co.nz/shop/lower-north-island/aotea-college
Our school uniform is available from [Argyle Online](https://www.argyleonline.co.nz/shop/lower-north-island/aotea-college).
- https://www.argyleonline.co.nz/shop/lower-north-island/aotea-college
- Term dates
- Term 1, 2026: Monday 2 February – Thursday 2 April
Term 1: Monday 2 February – Thursday 2 April
Year stated as2026 Term Dates
- Term 2, 2026: Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July
Term 2: Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July
Year stated as2026 Term Dates
- Term 3, 2026: Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September
Term 3: Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September
Year stated as2026 Term Dates
- Term 4, 2026: Monday 12 October – Tuesday 15 December
Term 4: Monday 12 October – Tuesday 15 December
Year stated as2026 Term Dates
- Term 1, 2027: Tuesday 2 February – Friday 9 April
Term 1: Tuesday 2 February – Friday 9 April
Year stated as2027 Term Dates
- Term 2, 2027: Tuesday 27 April – Friday 2 July
Term 2: Tuesday 27 April – Friday 2 July
Year stated as2027 Term Dates
- Term 3, 2027: Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September
Term 3: Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September
Year stated as2027 Term Dates
- Term 4, 2027: Monday 11 October – Tuesday 16 December
Term 4: Monday 11 October – Tuesday 16 December
Year stated as2027 Term Dates
- Term 1, 2026: Monday 2 February – Thursday 2 April
- Getting there
- Important update: Afternoon departures from Aotea College are different to the published timetable on some days. On Tuesdays & Thursdays buses depart Aotea College at 2.27pm. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays buses will depart Aotea College at 3.20pm.
What is on offer beyond the classroom?
The sports, arts, clubs and groups this school names on its own website. Not a complete list of what any school offers, and not a count — a school that names more here has written more down, which is not the same as doing more.
Quoted from this school’s own website, as we read it on 13 August 2026. A web page carries no date of its own, so that is the day we read it — not a statement that any of this is still the case. Each line quotes the words it came from.
- On offer
- AC Micro Drone Racing
- AC Speaks
Welcome to AC Speaks, our dynamic online newspaper created entirely by students, for students!
- Student Librarian
- Code Club
Learn how to harness the power of your computer at Code Club!
- Strings Ensemble
- The Desi Collective
The Desi Collective is a space where South Asian culture is celebrated and shared.
- Te Waho Nui
Te Waho Nui aims for one adventure per term.
- Toi Art club
Toi Art club is a place to work on your art projects and develop your drawing skills through use of prompts.
- Origami Club
- All comers choir
All comers choir is a junior singing group that creates a fun and inviting space for young people to sing and have fun.
- Barbershop
to help the juniors build their confidence and skills to join Barbershop when they feel ready
- Enviro Group
- The Maths Club
The Maths Club is held every Thursday after school (2:30pm to 3:30pm) in PK08.
Who goes here?
Ethnicity breakdown of the total roll, shown as context. Not ranked, and not compared against any average.
- European
- 911
- Māori
- 312
- Pacific
- 271
- Asian
- 189
- MELAA
- 40
- Other
- 18
- International
- 14
Roll by year level and age
Shown as context, not ranked, not compared to any average. As at 30 June 2026, from the same annual return as the roll count above.
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 09 | 73 | 56 | 36 | 6 | 9 | 191 | 0 | 283 |
| Year 10 | 70 | 71 | 41 | 8 | 2 | 183 | 0 | 274 |
| Year 11 | 63 | 58 | 35 | 9 | 0 | 186 | 7 | 304 |
| Year 12 | 52 | 52 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 166 | 4 | 246 |
| Year 13+ | 45 | 42 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 161 | 3 | 221 |
| Total | 303 | 279 | 160 | 35 | 12 | 887 | 14 | 1328 |
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Age 13 | 61 | 51 | 32 | 6 | 8 | 163 | 0 | 246 |
| Age 14 | 68 | 65 | 40 | 7 | 2 | 185 | 0 | 270 |
| Age 15 | 63 | 58 | 34 | 8 | 1 | 184 | 3 | 292 |
| Age 16 | 57 | 61 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 172 | 7 | 263 |
| Age 17 | 49 | 38 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 159 | 3 | 224 |
| Age 18 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 32 |
| Total | 303 | 279 | 160 | 35 | 12 | 887 | 14 | 1328 |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0
Academic results
Percentage with NCEA level 1 or above — 2025
91.1%
| Aotea College | 91.1% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 90.8% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 88% |
| State: Not integrated | 83.6% |
| New Zealand | 85.2% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 93.2% |
|---|---|
| Male | 88.3% |
| Māori | 83.1% |
| Pacific | 97.8% |
| Asian | 87% |
| MELAA | 100% |
| Other | Not applicable |
| European/Pākehā | 92.5% |
| Total | 91.1% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 1 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with NCEA level 2 or above — 2025
84.1%
| Aotea College | 84.1% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 85.3% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 81% |
| State: Not integrated | 75.4% |
| New Zealand | 77.8% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 86.4% |
|---|---|
| Male | 81.1% |
| Māori | 78% |
| Pacific | 89.1% |
| Asian | 78.3% |
| MELAA | 100% |
| Other | Not applicable |
| European/Pākehā | 86.1% |
| Total | 84.1% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 2 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with NCEA level 3 or above — 2025
65.1%
| Aotea College | 65.1% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 68.6% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 61.8% |
| State: Not integrated | 55.2% |
| New Zealand | 59% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 68.7% |
|---|---|
| Male | 60.4% |
| Māori | 52.5% |
| Pacific | 63% |
| Asian | 60.9% |
| MELAA | 77.8% |
| Other | Not applicable |
| European/Pākehā | 69.5% |
| Total | 65.1% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 3 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with VP Award — 2025
10.1%
| Aotea College | 10.1% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 12.5% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 15.2% |
| State: Not integrated | 14.4% |
| New Zealand | 14.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 11.6% |
|---|---|
| Male | 8.1% |
| Māori | 11.9% |
| Pacific | 8.7% |
| Asian | 4.3% |
| MELAA | 11.1% |
| Other | Not applicable |
| European/Pākehā | 11.2% |
| Total | 10.1% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison Vocational Pathway data (2023-2025)
Retention
Percentage staying until at least 17th birthday — 2025
89.5%
| Aotea College | 89.5% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 88.7% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 83.5% |
| State: Not integrated | 81.4% |
| New Zealand | 83% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 88.4% |
|---|---|
| Male | 91% |
| Māori | 81.4% |
| Pacific | 95.7% |
| Asian | 95.7% |
| MELAA | 100% |
| Other | Not applicable |
| European/Pākehā | 89.8% |
| Total | 89.5% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison trend data (2023-2025)
— 2024
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 1: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education one year after leaving school (2022-2024 leaver cohorts)
— 2023
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education two years after leaving school (2021-2023 leaver cohorts)
— 2024
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 1: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education one year after leaving school (2022-2024 leaver cohorts)
— 2023
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education two years after leaving school (2021-2023 leaver cohorts)
Student engagement
Age-standardised stand-down rate per 1,000 students — 2024
14.7%
| Aotea College | 14.7% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 24.7% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 35.8% |
| State | 40.2% |
| New Zealand | 37.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 12.6% |
|---|---|
| Male | 17.2% |
| Māori | 23.4% |
| Pacific | 20.1% |
| Asian | 8.4% |
| Other | 0% |
| European/Pākehā | 10.9% |
| Total | 14.7% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison stand-down rates data (2024)
Age-standardised suspension rate per 1,000 students — 2024
2.4%
| Aotea College | 2.4% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 2.6% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 4% |
| State | 4.5% |
| New Zealand | 4.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 0.8% |
|---|---|
| Male | 4.1% |
| Māori | 6.9% |
| Pacific | 1.8% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 0% |
| European/Pākehā | 1.8% |
| Total | 2.4% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison suspension rates data (2024)
Age-standardised exclusion rate per 1,000 students — 2024
0%
| Aotea College | 0% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 0.9% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 1.7% |
| State | 1.9% |
| New Zealand | 1.8% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 0% |
|---|---|
| Male | 0% |
| Māori | 0% |
| Pacific | 0% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 0% |
| European/Pākehā | 0% |
| Total | 0% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison exclusion data (2024)
About the school
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 441
- Boarding
- No
- Language of instruction
- All students taught in English/other setting
- Urban / rural
- Large urban area
- Date opened
- 31 December 1977
The Equity Index is used by the Ministry to allocate equity funding. It describes the socio-economic barriers a school’s students face, not how good the school is. How the Equity Index works
What did ERO find?
The Education Review Office reviews every school and publishes what it finds in full. We quote ERO’s report here, section by section, in ERO’s own words and order, and link to it. We do not summarise a report, pick a line out of one, or turn one into a score. How ERO reviews schools
- Reports ERO holds
- 5
- Last reviewed
- 30 November 2023
- Latest report
- Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
- Report type
- Profile report
- Board assurance
- The board attested to all areas (30 November 2023)
A board assurance statement is the board’s own account of whether it took all reasonable steps to meet its legal obligations, on the date shown. It is not ERO’s finding. ERO reports separately, in the same report, on any non-compliance it identified during that process.
The board assurance report of 30 November 2023 carries no actions-for-compliance section — the section ERO uses when it names non-compliance it identified. That is what this report contains; it is not ERO saying it found none. Other reports ERO holds for this school may say something different.
The roll ERO recorded, and when
ERO writes a roll into each report it publishes: a count taken for that report, on the day shown, by the review team that was there. The Ministry of Education’s current roll for this school is 1365 — the figure at the top of this page, and the one to use for how big the school is now. These are a different measurement by a different body, so they will rarely agree, and a difference between them is not a change in the school.
July 2016
929
Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 11 October 2016
This is one count taken for one report. It says what the roll was on that day, and nothing about how the roll has moved.
What ERO wrote in its latest report
This is ERO’s report of 30 November 2023 — “Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report” — section by section, under ERO’s own headings, in ERO’s own order. Nothing is summarised, shortened or reordered.
Background
This Profile Report was written within six months of the Education Review Office and Aotea College working in Te Ara Huarau , an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website. www.ero.govt.nz
Context
Aotea College, Te Kareti o Aotea , is a large, urban co-educational secondary school located in Porirua City. The college caters for students from year 9 to 13 and serves a growing and diverse community.
Aotea College ’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to further:
student engagement initiatives in curriculum and co-curricular programmes to personalise learning, including the use of learning partnerships beyond the school
curriculum development implementation of qualification changes, and Te Mana Ōrite mo te Mātauranga Māori .
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Aotea College ’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate:
how effectively changes the school makes to its NCEA curriculum create conditions for learning in which the aspirations and identity of learners and whānau form the basis for a pathway to success.
how the Poutama Reo resource and evaluation tools can support Te Mana Ōrite mo te Mātauranga Māori .
The rationale for selecting these evaluation foci are to:
enable the school to keep its multicultural character and broad curriculum at the core of its response to NCEA and other external curriculum changes
further support learners to gain qualifications and rich experiences reflective of who they are and who they can be
take the next steps as a school to ensure that students, staff and whānau can move forward in ensuring that te Ao Māori and the Māori language is a known and valued part of the shared identity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The school expects to see:
continued success in student engagement and achievement at all levels
successful implementation of NCEA changes and te Mana mo te Mātauranga Māori .
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to respond collectively to change as a school and community, creating a curriculum and conditions for learning in which all learners can build on their aspirations and identity as a pathway to success:
an inclusive learning climate that is positive and promotes engagement through well-organised systems, effective teaching, a broad and responsive curriculum, collaborative teamwork and ownership of the progress of all learners
a history of responding positively and successfully to learners’ diverse needs
high levels of professional capability enacting the school vision, values and priorities
school leadership who are active in sustaining educationally powerful learning partnerships including an engaged community of whānau, hapu, iwi , parents, students and contributing schools in a Kahui Ako .
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
a continued focus on culturally responsive practice within curriculum development
leading NCEA changes across the curriculum, the refreshed curriculum and new standards to continually improve and innovate to promote equitable achievement outcomes for all learners
continuing support for teacher professional learning for Te Mana Orite mo te Mātauranga Māori in curriculum and pastoral initiatives
development and implementation of Te Reo Māori Progressions using Poutama Reo as an evaluation tool.
ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.
Shelley Booysen Director of Schools
30 November 2023
About the School
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
Read the full report on ero.govt.nz →
All 5 reports ERO holds for this school
ERO reviews a school every few years — around four years between reviews is the usual cycle — so an older date here reflects where a school sits in that cycle, not how it is doing.
Source: Education Review Office, CC BY 4.0.
Roll date: 30 June 2026 (2026).