New ZealandBay of PlentyTaurangaMerivale School

Merivale School

StateContributingCo-Educational
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty · Major urban area
admin@merivale.school.nz 07-5786900
Total Roll155enrolled students
Māori78.7%of roll
Pacific16.1%of roll
Asian5.8%of roll
Student Body
155
enrolled students
European/Pākehā21.9%
Māori78.7%
Pacific16.1%
Asian5.8%
GenderCo-Educational
Merivale School

Ethnicity Breakdown

Merivale School has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. Maori students make up the largest group at 78.7%.

155students
European/Pakeha21.9%
Maori78.7%
Pacific16.1%
Asian5.8%
European/Pakeha21.9%
Maori78.7%
Pacific16.1%
Asian5.8%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Merivale School'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
-24.1pp below avg21.9%
National average: 46%
Maori
+53.7pp above avg78.7%
National average: 25%
Pacific
+6.1pp above avg16.1%
National average: 10%
Asian
-6.2pp below avg5.8%
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/Pakeha3421.9%
Maori12278.7%
Pacific2516.1%
Asian95.8%
Total Roll155100%
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.