Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau
Full Primary · State
- Year levels
- 1–8
- Total roll
- 546
- Enrolment zone
- Yes
- Gender
- Co-Educational
Where is it, and how do I get in touch?
- Address
- 85 Howden Drive, Queenstown
- Territorial authority
- Queenstown-Lakes District
- Phone
- 03-9744644
- office@kawarau.school.nz
- Directions
- Get directions
Other schools nearby: schools in Otago
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
- Required
The Board’s requirement is that a regulation uniform be worn.
- Required
- Term dates
- Term 1, 2026: 2 February - 2 April
Term 1 - First day (for learners) - 2 February - School is closed to learners: - Waitangi Day - 6 Feburary - Otago Anniversary Day - 23 March - Last day - 2 April
Year stated asTERM DATES 2026
- Term 2, 2026: 20 April - 3 July
Term 2 - First day - 20 April - School is closed to learners: - ANZAC Day - 27 April - King’s Birthday - 1 June - Last day - 3 July
Year stated asTERM DATES 2026
- Term 3, 2026: 20 July - 25 September
Term 3 - First day - 20 July - Last day - 25 September
Year stated asTERM DATES 2026
- Term 4, 2026: 12 October - 15 December (12pm school ends for learners)
Term 4 - First day - 12 October - School is closed to learners: - Labour Day - 26 October - Last day - 15 December (12pm school ends for learners)
Year stated asTERM DATES 2026
- Term 1, 2026: 2 February - 2 April
What does the school say about itself?
Quoted, not summarised. Every school describes itself well, so this is here to be read as the school’s own case rather than as a finding — and a school that states nothing simply has no row.
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.
- International students
- Not accepted, as stated
We are unable to enrol international fee paying students.
- Not accepted, as stated
- Voluntary donation
- Minimum requested donation $200 per year for a family of 1 child, $400 for 2 children, $500 for 3+ children, 2026
Requested amounts for these donations are set annually by the Board of Trustees and are voluntary and tax deductible. Our school values of unity, belonging, and nurturing underpin our tiered approach to school donations. Requested Amounts for 2026 Parents and caregivers can choose to donate the minimum amount requested, or if able, donate a higher amount on behalf of those families that are unable to make a donation. | | Minimum requested | If able, please consider | |---|---|---| | Family of 1 child | $200 | $300 - $500 | | Family of 2 children | $400 | $600 - $1000 | | Family of 3+ children | $500 | $750 - $1250 |
- Minimum requested donation $200 per year for a family of 1 child, $400 for 2 children, $500 for 3+ children, 2026
Who goes here?
Ethnicity breakdown of the total roll, shown as context. Not ranked, and not compared against any average.
- European
- 376
- Māori
- 43
- Pacific
- 17
- Asian
- 140
- MELAA
- 36
- Other
- 4
- International
- 0
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 01 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 70 |
| Year 02 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 0 | 82 |
| Year 03 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 70 |
| Year 04 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 63 |
| Year 05 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 38 |
| Year 06 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 41 |
| Year 07 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 42 | 0 | 60 |
| Year 08 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 31 |
| Total | 33 | 15 | 118 | 35 | 4 | 312 | 0 | 455 |
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 05 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 62 |
| Age 06 | 4 | 3 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 66 | 0 | 86 |
| Age 07 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 67 |
| Age 08 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 57 |
| Age 09 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 43 |
| Age 10 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 42 |
| Age 11 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 55 |
| Age 12 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 32 |
| Age 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| Total | 33 | 15 | 118 | 35 | 4 | 312 | 0 | 455 |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0
Student engagement
Age-standardised stand-down rate per 1,000 students — 2024
35.3%
| Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau | 35.3% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 36.8% |
| Full Primary | 35.6% |
| State | 40.2% |
| New Zealand | 37.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 0% |
|---|---|
| Male | 82% |
| Māori | 0% |
| Pacific | 0% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 151.2% |
| European/Pākehā | 36.1% |
| Total | 35.3% |
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
0%
| Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau | 0% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 4.6% |
| Full Primary | 3.9% |
| State | 4.5% |
| New Zealand | 4.1% |
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 suspension rates data (2024)
Age-standardised exclusion rate per 1,000 students — 2024
0%
| Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau | 0% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 2% |
| Full Primary | 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)
- 405
- Boarding
- No
- Language of instruction
- All students taught in English/other setting
- Urban / rural
- Medium urban area
- Date opened
- 31 December 2021
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
- 2
- Last reviewed
- 15 May 2023
- Latest report
- Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
- Report type
- Profile report
- Board assurance
- The board attested to all areas (15 May 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 15 May 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.
What ERO wrote in its latest report
This is ERO’s report of 15 May 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 6 months of the Education Review Office and Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau 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
Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau is a new school that opened in February 2022 and is situated in the rapidly growing area of Hanley’s Farm and Jacks Point in Queenstown. It caters for learners from a diverse range of cultures in years 1 to 8. The teaching and learning programmes are underpinned by the school’s vision of “Our place to Gather, Learn, and Grow” and the school values of manaakitanga (nurturing), whanaungatanga (belonging), and kotahitanga (unity).
Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau identifies the strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:
develop strong and authentic connections with whānau , hapū and iwi in relation to teaching and learning
enhance inclusive practices and programmes that promote the development of social relationship skills and emotional intelligence
strengthen connections with whānau and runaka to develop and enhance staff and community knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori , and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi
identify and reduce barriers to education that learners face.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on the website of Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau .
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how leaders and teachers are improving learner outcomes by creating a learning environment where tamariki are confident in their identity and have a sense of belonging at school.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to:
ensure equity and excellence for all tamariki
ensure the school curriculum has meaningful connections to Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori , and tikanga Māori
ascertain if the school vision is building an inclusive culture across the school
review the coherence of school systems and processes to ensure consistency and clarity across the school in creating an inclusive school environment and curriculum.
The school expects to see:
consistency of teaching and learning practice across the school for equitable and excellent outcomes
ongoing review and assessment of existing and new systems and processes
learners who are confident in their own identity and have a sense of belonging at school
strengthened learning partnerships with whānau .
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to create a learning environment where tamariki are connected to their culture, confident in their identity, and have a sense of belonging at school:
an inclusive and learning focused culture
strong leadership and teaching capability across the school
cohesive and connected strategic planning that focuses on the whole child
a strong vision that drives the direction of the school
a supportive and diverse community.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
strengthening their culturally responsive practices and their cultural connection with parents and whānau
further development of the school’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
ensuring that systems and processes are able to easily respond to the changing demographics of the school connected with ongoing roll growth.
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
15 May 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 2 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).