The Equity Index (EQI)

From January 2023, the Equity Index (EQI) will be used in place of deciles to determine school and kura equity funding.

On 22 September 2022, schools and kura received information about the Equity funding they will receive next year, based on their EQI number. Schools and kura also received information about changes to the Isolation Index. As a result of the EQI changes 155 schools and kura become eligible for the donations scheme, representing around 47,000 ākonga, and an additional 24 schools and kura will be invited to join the Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches programme.

A lot has changed since the decile system was introduced almost 30 years ago. We now have access to improved data and a better understanding of the socio-economic factors that have the most impact on ākonga achievement, and this data has been used to develop the EQI. The EQI considers 37 socio-economic factors, and therefore is a better measure of the barriers ākonga are facing.

You can view more information about the EQI, including analysis and guidance for schools on our website at The Equity Index – Education in New Zealand, or you are welcome to email the team at Equity.Index@education.govt.nz.

Last reviewed: 03 October 2022 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback