Community hub
Recent from talks
Contribute something
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Taihape Area School
View on Wikipedia
Taihape Area School is a state composite coeducational school located in Taihape, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand. It is located on 26 Huia St.[2]
Key Information
The school has a roll of 244 students as of August 2017 and provides education for students in years 1–13.[2]
History
[edit]Taihape Area School was formed in 2009 after Taihape's primary and secondary schools amalgamated. It was officially opened in October 2009 by former Minister of Education Trevor Mallard and local Rangitikei MP Simon Power.[3] The reason for the amalgamation between the two schools was budget-based because of a decline in student numbers.[1]
Between its establishment in 2009 and 2010 the principal was Boyce Davey and since 2010 it is Richard McMillan.[2][1]
Enrolment
[edit]As of October 2025, Taihape Area School has a roll of 246 students, of which 166 (67.5%) identify as Māori.[2]
As of 2026, the school has an Equity Index of 514,[4] placing it amongst schools whose students have many socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 2 and 3 under the former socio-economic decile system).[5]
Facilities
[edit]The school was described by former principal Davey as "one of the most technologically advanced schools built in New Zealand".[1] All 29 of its learning spaces are provided with large interactive touch sensitive whiteboards linked to computer systems.[3]
In August 2024, it was revealed that some schools around the country were earthquake prone.[6] On 15 August 2024, it was reported that the school's main teaching block and gym have a 15 percent seismic rating and that the buildings have been leaking since they opened.[7] This was reported a day after Wellington Girls' College students protested outside Parliament after a teaching block in their school was closed due to having a 15 percent seismic rating.[6] The Ministry of Education plans for Taihape Area School include demolishing and rebuilding the main teaching block and strengthening the gym sometime in 2025.[7]
Notable alumnae
[edit]- James Paringatai, basketball player
- Cecily Pickerill, plastic surgeon
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Herselman, Germari (16 July 2014). "Merging schools worth it - Taihape". The Marlborough Express. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ a b "About Us". Taihape Area School. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ "New Zealand Equity Index". New Zealand Ministry of Education.
- ^ "School Equity Index Bands and Groups". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
- ^ a b "Wellington Girls College students say Education Ministry put them at risk". RNZ. 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Leaky school has rebuild delayed after found to be earthquake prone". RNZ. 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2024-08-14.