Ethnicity Breakdown
Birkenhead College has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. European/Pakeha students make up the largest group at 50%.
Compared to National Averages
The bars below show Birkenhead 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.
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.
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.