New ZealandAucklandHendersonWaitakere College

Waitakere College

StateSecondary (Year 9-15)Co-Educational
Henderson, Auckland · Major urban area
secretary@waitakerecollege.school.nz 09-8367890
Total Roll2,051enrolled students
Māori26.1%of roll
Pacific30.5%of roll
Asian30.5%of roll
Student Body
2,051
enrolled students
European/Pākehā37.1%
Māori26.1%
Pacific30.5%
Asian30.5%
GenderCo-Educational
Waitakere College

Ethnicity Breakdown

Waitakere College has a diverse student body with significant representation from multiple ethnic groups. European/Pakeha students make up the largest group at 37.1%.

2,051students
European/Pakeha37.1%
Maori26.1%
Pacific30.5%
Asian30.5%
European/Pakeha37.1%
Maori26.1%
Pacific30.5%
Asian30.5%
Source: Ministry of Education (2026).

Compared to National Averages

The bars below show Waitakere 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
-8.9pp below avg37.1%
National average: 46%
Maori
+1.1pp above avg26.1%
National average: 25%
Pacific
+20.5pp above avg30.5%
National average: 10%
Asian
+18.5pp above avg30.5%
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/Pakeha76037.1%
Maori53626.1%
Pacific62630.5%
Asian62630.5%
MELAA89
Other34
International40
Total Roll2,051100%
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.