Waitaki Boys' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · State
- Year levels
- 9–13
- Total roll
- 425
- Enrolment zone
- No
- Gender
- Boys School
Where is it, and how do I get in touch?
- Address
- Waitaki Avenue, Oamaru
- Territorial authority
- Waitaki District
- Phone
- 03-4370529
- admin@waitakibhs.school.nz
- Directions
- Get directions
Other schools nearby: schools in Otago
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.
- Getting there
- The school bus services are run by Pearsons.
Buses - The school bus services are run by Pearsons.
- The school bus services are run by Pearsons.
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
- Accepted, as stated
We welcome international students, and offer a wide range of subjects and co curricular activities.
- Accepted, as stated
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
- annual interhouse Scrano competition
We use this for our annual interhouse Scrano competition.
- a show with our sister school Waitaki Girls'
Bi-annually we present a show with our sister school Waitaki Girls'
- annual Talent Quest competiton
We have an annual Talent Quest competiton
- Mid Winter concert
a Mid Winter concert
- 'Big Choir'
'Big Choir' of usually 100ish boys performs for local primary schools
- free music lessons in a range of instruments from the guitar to the bag pipes
our boys are offered free music lessons in a range of instruments from the guitar to the bag pipes
- annual junior speech competition
have an annual junior speech competition, one in Year 9 and one in Year 10
- Pasifika group
Our Pasifika group sets the standard and the support programme for Pasifika students is second to none.
- polyfest day in Dunedin
A highlight of the year for our Pasifika boys is the polyfest day in Dunedin
- combined kapa haka group, Te Au o te Waitaki
We have a combined kapa haka group, Te Au o te Waitaki, with Waitaki Girls’ High School.
- Waitaki Academy of Sports Performance (WASP)
we have our Waitaki Academy of Sports Performance (WASP)
- annual interhouse Scrano competition
Who goes here?
Ethnicity breakdown of the total roll, shown as context. Not ranked, and not compared against any average.
- European
- 316
- Māori
- 66
- Pacific
- 61
- Asian
- 41
- MELAA
- 4
- Other
- 2
- International
- 2
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 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 79 | 1 | 100 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 72 | 0 | 99 |
| Year 11 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 1 | 103 |
| Year 12 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 51 | 2 | 77 |
| Year 13+ | 5 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 0 | 55 |
| Total | 59 | 64 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 323 | 4 | 434 |
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 13 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 55 | 1 | 71 |
| Age 14 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 109 |
| Age 15 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 0 | 96 |
| Age 16 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 58 | 2 | 85 |
| Age 17 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 43 | 0 | 60 |
| Age 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 12 |
| Age 19+ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 59 | 64 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 323 | 4 | 434 |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0
Academic results
Percentage with NCEA level 1 or above — 2025
84.6%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 84.6% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 90.7% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 88% |
| State: Not integrated | 83.6% |
| New Zealand | 85.2% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Male | 84.6% |
| Māori | 69.2% |
| Pacific | 90% |
| Asian | Too few to report |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 87.9% |
| Total | 84.6% |
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
76.9%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 76.9% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 84.8% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 81% |
| State: Not integrated | 75.4% |
| New Zealand | 77.8% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Male | 76.9% |
| Māori | 53.8% |
| Pacific | 90% |
| Asian | Too few to report |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 81% |
| Total | 76.9% |
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
55.1%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 55.1% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 65.5% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 61.8% |
| State: Not integrated | 55.2% |
| New Zealand | 59% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Male | 55.1% |
| Māori | 30.8% |
| Pacific | 70% |
| Asian | Too few to report |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 56.9% |
| Total | 55.1% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 3 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with VP Award — 2025
6.4%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 6.4% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 20.4% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 15.2% |
| State: Not integrated | 14.4% |
| New Zealand | 14.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Male | 6.4% |
| Māori | 0% |
| Pacific | 0% |
| Asian | Too few to report |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 8.6% |
| Total | 6.4% |
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
80.8%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 80.8% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 85.3% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 83.5% |
| State: Not integrated | 81.4% |
| New Zealand | 83% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Male | 80.8% |
| Māori | 53.8% |
| Pacific | 90% |
| Asian | Too few to report |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 82.8% |
| Total | 80.8% |
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
| Male | not reported |
|---|---|
| Female | 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
81.1%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 81.1% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 36.8% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 35.8% |
| State | 40.2% |
| New Zealand | 37.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not available (source marker: "nd") |
|---|---|
| Male | 81.1% |
| Māori | 194.1% |
| Pacific | 27.6% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 119.4% |
| European/Pākehā | 71.5% |
| Total | 81.1% |
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
21%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 21% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 4.6% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 4% |
| State | 4.5% |
| New Zealand | 4.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not available (source marker: "nd") |
|---|---|
| Male | 21% |
| Māori | 66.4% |
| Pacific | 22.7% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 49.6% |
| European/Pākehā | 13% |
| Total | 21% |
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
9.6%
| Waitaki Boys' High School | 9.6% |
|---|---|
| Otago Region | 2% |
| Secondary (Year 9-15) | 1.7% |
| State | 1.9% |
| New Zealand | 1.8% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | Not available (source marker: "nd") |
|---|---|
| Male | 9.6% |
| Māori | 22.9% |
| Pacific | 17% |
| Asian | 0% |
| Other | 56.7% |
| European/Pākehā | 5.8% |
| Total | 9.6% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison exclusion data (2024)
About the school
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 477
- Boarding
- Yes
- Language of instruction
- All students taught in English/other setting
- Urban / rural
- Medium urban area
- Date opened
- 14 May 1883
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
- 6
- Last reviewed
- 21 March 2023
- Latest report
- Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
- Report type
- Profile report
- Board assurance
- The board attested to all areas (21 March 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 21 March 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 425 — 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.
May 2019
407
Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 17 July 2019
October 2016
484
Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 23 January 2017
We draw no line between these. Each was counted for its own report, years apart, by a different review team, and a roll moves between reviews for reasons none of these figures record — so the difference between any two of them measures nothing.
What ERO wrote in its latest report
This is ERO’s report of 21 March 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 eight months of the Education Review Office and Waitaki Boys’ High School 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
Waitaki Boys’ High School is a Years 9 to 13 school for boys in Oamaru . Boarders reside at Don house, the school’s onsite boarding facility. The schools’ farm (Fraser Farm) is adjacent to the school and provides learning opportunities for boys at all year levels.
Waitaki Boys’ High School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes are for all learners to:
be fully engaged in their teaching and learning to achieve success
experience belonging within a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that allows all students to learn and thrive.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Waitaki Boys’ High School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate effective teaching practices to better meet the needs of all learners and support equitable outcomes.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is that:
teachers have been participating in ongoing professional development and learning in relation to building high quality and consistent effective teaching
outcomes for all students are not yet equitable
leaders want to more fully honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its articles .
The school expects to see consistent high quality teaching practices that meet all learners’ needs and pathways across the school.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support it in its goal to achieve equitable outcomes for all learners. The:
school is improvement focused and wants the best outcomes for its learners so that they can participate fully in society
local partnerships the school has developed and strengthened to support school improvement
ways in which staff are collaborating to improve outcomes for learners
success the school has had in supporting Pacific learners and their families to achieve and progress
progress the school has made in working with the local runaka in 2021 to build a stronger working partnership.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
using assessment effectively across the school to inform teaching and learning
strengthening the Professional Growth Cycle to ensure progress for all learners
engagement with its Māori community
establishing a baseline for the school’s culturally responsive teaching practices
staff development to enhance culturally responsive teaching and learning.
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.
Kathy Lye Acting Director Review and Improvement (Southern) Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
21 March 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 6 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).