Whataroa is a small rural community on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 105 kilometres south of Hokitika and 32 kilometres north of Franz Josef Glacier.  We are a decile 7 school with approximately 17 families. Despite this high decile rating, due to dairy farming, most of the families are from the middle to low socio-economic group. A significant number of families have two parents working.

Our school is in the enviable position of being situated in the heart of our village, surrounded by all the other facilities and services Whataroa district has to offer:

A resident District Nurse; Fire Station & volunteer Fire Brigade; Lonely Stag Store -Tearooms & Takeaways; Whataroa Service Station & Garage; White Heron Sanctuary Tours & Motel; Tennis Courts; a well-equipped gym; nine-hole Golf course; Rugby and Badminton Clubs; Anglican and Catholic Churches; RSA; Kayaking and Rowi Kiwi tours; Alpine Fault Tours plus  Glacier Heli Services.

Clubs: Badminton, Crochet, Darts, Golf, Netball, Pool, Quilting, Rugby, Spinning & Weaving, Table Tennis & Tennis.                                                                                    

Home of the famous Kotuku (White Heron), Whataroa is the gateway to the internationally renowned South Westland World Heritage area. It is well known for its hunting and fishing with a great variety of game available, including the Himalayan Tahr. Franz Josef is a 25 minute drive south, with restaurants, bush, mountain & glacier walks, and squash courts. Lake Mapourika and Lake Wahapo are about 15 minutes drive away and are renowned for their salmon fishing. Okarito, an old gold rush town, well loved for its beach, lagoon walks, sea fishing, kayaking and Rowi Kiwi tours – NZ’s most rare, it also has accommodation & camping sites.