New ZealandManawatū-WhanganuiPalmerston NorthQueen Elizabeth College

Queen Elizabeth College

StateSecondary (Year 7-15)Co-Educational
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui · Large urban area
office@qec.school.nz 06-3589033
Total Roll455enrolled students
Māori59.1%of roll
Pacific18.5%of roll
Asian6.2%of roll
Student Body
455
enrolled students
European/Pākehā53.2%
Māori59.1%
Pacific18.5%
Asian6.2%
GenderCo-Educational
Queen Elizabeth College

Ethnicity Breakdown

Queen Elizabeth College has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. Maori students make up the largest group at 59.1%.

455students
European/Pakeha53.2%
Maori59.1%
Pacific18.5%
Asian6.2%
European/Pakeha53.2%
Maori59.1%
Pacific18.5%
Asian6.2%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Queen Elizabeth 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
+7.2pp above avg53.2%
National average: 46%
Maori
+34.1pp above avg59.1%
National average: 25%
Pacific
+8.5pp above avg18.5%
National average: 10%
Asian
-5.8pp below avg6.2%
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/Pakeha24253.2%
Maori26959.1%
Pacific8418.5%
Asian286.2%
MELAA1
Other10
International6
Total Roll455100%
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.