2026 award winners#

20 finalists were recognised across 4 categories spanning primary and secondary schooling, with 9 winners announced at the ceremony.

Congratulations to all winners, finalists and those schools whose applications the judges commended.

Primary#

Excellence in Raising Student Achievement

Manurewa School

Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance

Kaihere School, Kaiti School

Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction

Sommerville School

Excellence in Educational Leadership

Goodwood School

Secondary#

Excellence in Raising Student Achievement

Auckland Grammar School

Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance

Maniatoto Area School

Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction

Avondale College

Excellence in Educational Leadership

Westlake Girls’ High School

2026 award finalists#

Primary#

Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance

Rāroa Intermediate School, Iqra School

Excellence in Educational Leadership

Manurewa Intermediate, Gulf Harbour School

Secondary#

Excellence in Raising Student Achievement

Long Bay College, Rutherford College

Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance

Nelson College for Girls

Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction

Long Bay College, Albany Junior High School

Excellence in Educational Leadership

Nelson College for Girls, Rolleston College

More about the winners#

2026 winners of the New Zealand Education Excellence Awards | Ngā Tohu Kairangi Mātauranga o Aotearoa