New ZealandManawatū-WhanganuiPalmerston NorthPalmerston North Boys' High School

Palmerston North Boys' High School

StateSecondary (Year 9-15)Boys School
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui · Large urban area
admin@pnbhs.school.nz 06-354 5176
Total Roll1,854enrolled students
Māori24.5%of roll
Pacific10%of roll
Asian18.8%of roll
Student Body
1,854
enrolled students
European/Pākehā70.9%
Māori24.5%
Pacific10%
Asian18.8%
GenderBoys School
Palmerston North Boys' High School

Ethnicity Breakdown

Palmerston North Boys' High School has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. European/Pakeha students make up the largest group at 70.9%.

1,854students
European/Pakeha70.9%
Maori24.5%
Pacific10%
Asian18.8%
European/Pakeha70.9%
Maori24.5%
Pacific10%
Asian18.8%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Palmerston North Boys' High 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
+24.9pp above avg70.9%
National average: 46%
Maori
-0.5pp below avg24.5%
National average: 25%
Pacific
at average10%
National average: 10%
Asian
+6.8pp above avg18.8%
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/Pakeha1,31470.9%
Maori45524.5%
Pacific18610%
Asian34818.8%
MELAA59
Other55
International36
Total Roll1,854100%
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.