New ZealandCanterburyAllentonAshburton College

Ashburton College

StateSecondary (Year 9-15)Co-Educational
Allenton, Canterbury · Medium urban area
info@ashcoll.school.nz 03-3084193
Total Roll1,446enrolled students
Māori16.5%of roll
Pacific15.4%of roll
Asian19.2%of roll
Student Body
1,446
enrolled students
European/Pākehā66%
Māori16.5%
Pacific15.4%
Asian19.2%
GenderCo-Educational
Ashburton College

Ethnicity Breakdown

Ashburton College has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. European/Pakeha students make up the largest group at 66%.

1,446students
European/Pakeha66%
Maori16.5%
Pacific15.4%
Asian19.2%
European/Pakeha66%
Maori16.5%
Pacific15.4%
Asian19.2%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Ashburton College's ethnicity breakdown compared to the national average across all New Zealand schools. The white reference line marks the national average for each group.

European/Pakeha
+20.0pp above avg66%
National average: 46%
Maori
-8.5pp below avg16.5%
National average: 25%
Pacific
+5.4pp above avg15.4%
National average: 10%
Asian
+7.2pp above avg19.2%
National average: 12%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026). National averages are approximate.

Ethnicity Roll Numbers

Absolute student numbers by ethnicity, as reported by the Ministry of Education. Students can identify with more than one ethnic group, so totals may exceed the total school roll.

Ethnic GroupStudents% of Roll
European/Pakeha95466%
Maori23916.5%
Pacific22315.4%
Asian27719.2%
MELAA22
Other11
International17
Total Roll1,446100%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Understanding Ethnicity Data

Self-identified ethnicity

Ethnicity in New Zealand school data is self-identified by students and families at enrolment. A student may identify with multiple ethnic groups, which means ethnicity percentages may sum to more than 100%.

Maori students and cultural context

New Zealand schools have a unique responsibility under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The proportion of Maori students can reflect a school's engagement with te reo Maori, tikanga, and culturally responsive practices.

Diversity is not a quality measure

A school's ethnic composition reflects its community, not its quality. Schools with high concentrations of any group serve their students well when they respond to their community's cultural, linguistic, and educational needs.

MELAA and Other categories

MELAA stands for Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African. The 'Other' category includes students who identify with ethnicities not covered by the main groups, as well as those who did not state an ethnicity.