New ZealandAucklandTe Atatu PeninsulaRutherford School

Rutherford School

StateContributingCo-Educational
Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland · Major urban area
office@rutherfordprimary.school.nz 09-8345467
Total Roll280enrolled students
Māori27.5%of roll
Pacific24.6%of roll
Asian28.6%of roll
Student Body
280
enrolled students
European/Pākehā30.4%
Māori27.5%
Pacific24.6%
Asian28.6%
GenderCo-Educational
Rutherford School

Ethnicity Breakdown

Rutherford School has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. European/Pakeha students make up the largest group at 30.4%.

280students
European/Pakeha30.4%
Maori27.5%
Pacific24.6%
Asian28.6%
European/Pakeha30.4%
Maori27.5%
Pacific24.6%
Asian28.6%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Rutherford 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
-15.6pp below avg30.4%
National average: 46%
Maori
+2.5pp above avg27.5%
National average: 25%
Pacific
+14.6pp above avg24.6%
National average: 10%
Asian
+16.6pp above avg28.6%
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/Pakeha8530.4%
Maori7727.5%
Pacific6924.6%
Asian8028.6%
MELAA20
Total Roll280100%
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.