Secondary Schools
From first steps to future goals.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty is a great place to learn at every stage of life.
The district is home to quality early learning centres and a strong network of primary and intermediate schools, giving tamariki (children) a great start. As students grow, they can continue their journey through local secondary schools and into tertiary education.
Many schools in the Eastern Bay of Plenty actively foster a connection to te ao Māori worldviews – encouraging respect for culture, identity and te taiao (the natural world). Outside the classroom, life is just as rich. With easy access to the moana (ocean), ngahere (forests) and maunga (mountains), students enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle.
Find detailed information on primary, intermediate and secondary education options in the district on the Ministry of Education’s website.
Secondary schools
Strong foundations, diverse pathways.
Whether you're looking for a school with strong academic performance, deep cultural grounding, future-focused learning, or a wide range of sporting and extracurricular opportunities, the Whakatāne District offers diverse secondary school options to suit the needs of every learner and whānau (family).
From large co-educational high schools with strong academic and sporting traditions to Māori immersion kura (schools) grounded in tikanga (customs) and taught in te reo Māori (the Māori language), students across the region can access education that supports both personal growth and cultural identity.
Explore the options below to find the right fit for your whānau.
Whakatāne High School l Whakatāne
Co-education, public school
Established in 1920, Whakatāne High School is a long-standing institution with a student roll of approximately 1,250, serving students in Years 9-13. It’s recognised for its strong academic programmes and deep commitment to Māori culture. The school offers accelerated learning through its Pūāwaitanga Programme and a rich curriculum that includes subjects such as marine studies, EPro8 (a hands-on STEM engineering and problem-solving challenge) and an athlete development programme for students with a passion for sport. Sporting excellence is a hallmark, with standout achievements in rowing, volleyball and adventure racing, alongside waka ama and athletics. More info: whakatanehigh.school.nz
Trident High School l Whakatāne
Co-education, public school
Founded in 1973, Trident High School is a co-educational school for Years 9–13 with a roll of around 860 students. The school boasts outstanding facilities, including a large gym, auditorium, new rock wall, covered turf, cutting-edge technology and modern visual arts spaces. Trident is recognised for academic excellence, including NCEA Scholarship success, and leads the Bay of Plenty’s Futures Academy for vocational pathways. A sporting powerhouse, it excels across codes such as volleyball, netball, touch, multisport, rugby and rugby league. Trident is also deeply committed to te ao Māori worldviews and Ngāti Awa identity, offering rich cultural opportunities for all students. More info: trident.school.nz
Rangitāiki College l Edgecumbe
Co-education, public School
Rangitāiki College, formerly Edgecumbe College, is a small secondary school for Years 9–15 with a roll of around 160 students. It offers a close-knit, supportive environment where academic achievement, cultural identity and community connection are central. The school provides a broad and practical curriculum, including pathways in agriculture, horticulture and trades through strong industry partnerships. With a strong focus on literacy and meaningful iwi relationships, the college nurtures confident, capable learners prepared for life beyond school. More info: https://rangitaikicollege.school.nz/#
Murupara Area School l Murupara
Co-education, public school
Murupara Area School, serving Years 1–15 and the Ngāti Manawa community, has a roll of approximately 190 students. Opened in 2013 with a modern campus, the school delivers a culturally responsive curriculum grounded in integrity, respect and aroha. The kura offers personalised pathways and maintains strong partnerships with whānau and iwi to support student success. More info: https://www.mas.school.nz/
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Orini ki Ngāti Awa l Whakatāne
Co-education, public school
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Orini ki Ngāti Awa is the only total Māori immersion school in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region. The curriculum is taught entirely in te reo Māori, serving Years 1–15 with a roll of 100 students. The curriculum is underpinned by the guiding philosophy and values of Te Aho Matua, under the protection of Te Rūnanga nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa. The kura also has a strong connection and foundation based on the teachings of Te Hāhi Ringatū. It emphasises cultural identity, strong community connections and academic achievement grounded in Māori values. More info: http://www.tkkmteorini.school.nz
Te Wharekura o Rūātoki l Rūātoki
Co-education, public school
Te Wharekura o Rūātoki is a Māori immersion wharekura serving Years 1–15, with a roll of approximately 230 students. Located in Rūāatoki and established in the 1890s, it was the first Māori school to fully adopt Te Aho Matua. The kura delivers education through te reo Māori and upholds strong Tūhoe cultural principles while offering national curriculum pathways.