Overview
Waiau Area School is a state composite school in Tuatapere, Southland. It is a co-educational school. The school has 134 students on the roll. Its Equity Index (EQI) is 525 (high equity need). The school does not have an enrolment scheme. It is located in the Southland District territorial authority.
Source: Ministry of Education (2026)
Key Facts
AuthorityState
School TypeComposite
Co-Ed StatusCo-Educational
Enrolment SchemeNo (Open)
Territorial AuthoritySouthland District
RegionSouthland
Urban/RuralRural settlement
Postcode9620
MoE School ID402
Student Demographics
Total Roll134
European/Pakeha72.4%
Maori28.4%
Pacific1.5%
Asian12.7%
Ethnicity Distribution
Source: Ministry of Education (2026)
Equity Index (EQI)
The Equity Index replaced the decile system in 2023. It measures the socio-economic context of a school's student community. A higher EQI indicates greater equity need (more disadvantaged). The national average is approximately 463.
School EQI525
National Avg463
Contexthigh equity need
Source: Ministry of Education EQI (2026)