If you’re trying to get a clear picture of Rotorua Lakes High School—its decile rating, who’s running it now, or what the uniform looks like—you’ve probably run into the usual problem: the facts are scattered across the school website, old news articles, and Education Review Office reports. This single-page guide pulls together the key details you actually need, including the big 2026 change that put the school’s first-ever female principal in the top office.
Decile rating: 5 ·
Student population (2024): approx. 1,100 ·
Years offered: 9 to 13 ·
School type: State co-educational ·
Principal (as of 2026): Gwyneth Evans
Quick snapshot
- Decile 5 school (NZ Herald (regional daily))
- First female principal Gwyneth Evans appointed in 2026 (Rotorua Lakes High School official site)
- Co-educational, Years 9–13 (Education Review Office (government evaluator))
- Exact current enrollment (approx. 1,100 based on Education Counts data; not confirmed for 2025)
- Precise uniform item list (best sourced from school office or uniform shop)
- 1971 school founded; 2026: first female principal takes charge (RocketReach (business database))
- New leadership under Evans—watch for strategic direction, curriculum updates (New Zealand Ministry of Education (national policy body))
- School transitions off historic decile ratings onto the Equity Index (New Zealand Ministry of Education (national policy body))
New Zealand abolished the decade-old decile system in 2023. Rotorua Lakes High School’s historic decile 5 label still shows up in reports, but the Ministry of Education now uses the Equity Index to allocate extra funding. The practical effect for parents: the school’s community profile hasn’t changed, but the funding formula has.
| School name | Rotorua Lakes High School |
| Decile (historic) | 5 |
| Principal (as of 2026) | Gwyneth Evans |
| School type | State co-educational |
| Years | 9–13 |
| Approx. enrollment (2024) | 1,100 |
| Address | 1367-1399 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua |
| Website | rotorualakes.school.nz |
| Phone | (07) 345 6124 |
What decile is Rotorua Lakes High School?
Rotorua Lakes High School carries a historic decile rating of 5, a figure cited in a NZ Herald (regional daily) report covering a school science-lab upgrade. A decile 5 rating placed the school in the middle band of the previous socioeconomic funding system, meaning its community had average socioeconomic characteristics compared with other New Zealand schools.
What does decile 5 mean for Rotorua Lakes High School?
- Schools at decile 5 historically received moderate additional government funding—more than high-decile schools, less than low-decile ones.
- The 2011 Rotorua Lakes Council education monitoring report (local council data) noted that 30% of Rotorua students attended a decile-3-or-lower school, putting Lakes High in a relatively more affluent segment locally.
- From 2023 onward, the decile system was replaced by the Equity Index per New Zealand Ministry of Education (national policy body), which uses a more granular measure of student-level disadvantage.
The implication: Rotorua Lakes High’s old decile 5 label still offers a rough historical reference for community context, but it’s no longer the active funding mechanism. The Equity Index will determine the school’s current resource allocation.
Who is the principal of Rotorua Lakes?
As of 2026, the principal is Gwyneth Evans, the school’s first-ever female principal. Her appointment marked a symbolic and institutional shift for the co-educational school, which opened its doors in 1971.
When was Gwyneth Evans appointed as principal?
- Evans assumed the role in the 2026 school year, according to the Rotorua Lakes High School official site.
- Before her appointment, the school had historically had male principals.
- The Education Review Office (ERO) (government evaluator) profile lists the school under institution number 154 but does not name individual staff.
New leadership often brings curriculum and cultural changes. For Rotorua Lakes families, Evans’s appointment signals a possible reset in school priorities—particularly around pastoral care and Māori engagement, areas the ERO previously noted as strengths.
The pattern: Evans’s appointment is part of a slow-but-steady shift in New Zealand secondary leadership. Women now hold about 38% of secondary principal positions nationwide, though the gender gap persists in larger schools.
How many students go to Rotorua Lakes High School?
Student enrollment sits at approximately 1,100 as of 2024, according to Education Counts data referenced in the school’s profile. This figure is typical for a medium-to-large Rotorua secondary school serving Years 9 through 13.
What is the student gender breakdown at Rotorua Lakes High School?
- Rotorua Lakes High is co-educational, meaning both boys and girls attend.
- The exact gender ratio varies year to year but typically hovers around 50/50 for co-educational state schools in the region.
- The school website Rotorua Lakes High School official site emphasizes inclusivity and Māori cultural engagement.
What this means: With 1,100 students across five year levels, average class sizes likely fall between 22 and 28, consistent with New Zealand state secondary norms.
What is the address of Rotorua Lakes High School?
The school is located at 1367-1399 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, in the Bay of Plenty region. The campus sits along a main arterial route east of the central city.
How to contact the school office?
- Phone: (07) 345 6124 (listed on the Rotorua Lakes High School official site)
- Official website: rotorualakes.school.nz
- Email: available via the school’s online contact form.
The catch: The official website remains the most reliable source for up-to-date contact hours and staff directories because physical office hours can shift during school holidays.
What are the term dates for Rotorua Lakes High School in 2026?
New Zealand secondary schools follow a four-term calendar year. Rotorua Lakes High School typically publishes term dates on its official calendar, available at Rotorua Lakes High School official site.
When does the school year start and end?
- Term 1 generally runs from early February to mid-April.
- Term 2: late April to early July.
- Term 3: late July to late September.
- Term 4: mid-October to mid-December (exact dates vary by exam schedule).
- The New Zealand Ministry of Education (national policy body) sets the national term framework; individual schools adjust by a few days.
The trade-off: School calendars are typically posted annually by November for the following year. If 2026 dates aren’t yet live, checking in late 2025 is your best move.
What is the school uniform for Rotorua Lakes High School?
Rotorua Lakes High School requires a uniform, with specific items listed on the school’s website and available through the on-campus uniform shop.
Where can I buy the Rotorua Lakes High School uniform?
- The school uniform shop operates from the campus at 1367-1399 Te Ngae Road.
- Opening hours: typically limited to certain weekdays during term time—call (07) 345 6124 to confirm.
- Second-hand uniform sales are sometimes organized by the school’s parent network.
- The Rotorua Lakes High School official site publishes the uniform list directly.
The pattern: Unlike some schools that contract external retailers, Lakes High keeps uniform sales in-house, which often means lower markups but limited hours.
Who are the staff members at Rotorua Lakes High School?
The teaching staff is led by principal Gwyneth Evans, supported by deputy principals and a full faculty covering all Year 9–13 curriculum areas.
What teaching staff are at Rotorua Lakes High School?
- The Rotorua Lakes High School official site maintains a staff directory with names, roles, and email contacts.
- Roles typically include: principal, 2–3 deputy principals, heads of departments (English, maths, science, social studies, languages, arts, PE, technology), and classroom teachers.
- The Education Review Office (ERO) (government evaluator) notes that pastoral care and guidance support are strong.
The implication: Staff turnover data isn’t publicly broken down for individual schools, but the ERO’s positive pastoral-care finding suggests stable staffing and good retention.
Confirmed facts
- School decile is 5 (historic, per NZ Herald and council data)
- Principal is Gwyneth Evans, appointed 2026
- Co-educational state school, Years 9–13
- Address: 1367-1399 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua
- School website: rotorualakes.school.nz
- Phone: (07) 345 6124
What’s unclear
- Exact current student enrollment (approx. 1,100 based on Education Counts data)
- Specific uniform items (best confirmed from school office)
- Complete staff list beyond principal (requires checking official site directly)
Families comparing co-educational options in the city will also find useful details in our Rotorua Girls High School guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rotorua Lakes High School a public or private school?
It is a state school (public), meaning it is funded by the New Zealand government and no tuition fees are charged to domestic students.
Does Rotorua Lakes High School have a uniform?
Yes, the school requires a uniform. Items are available through the on-campus uniform shop at 1367-1399 Te Ngae Road. Contact the school office for current pricing and stock.
What sports are offered at Rotorua Lakes High School?
The school offers a range of sports including rugby, netball, basketball, hockey, and athletics. Specific sports change by season; check the school website for the current calendar.
What is the school phone number?
The school’s main office number is (07) 345 6124, as listed on the Rotorua Lakes High School official site.
Does Rotorua Lakes High School offer NCEA?
Yes, as a New Zealand state secondary school, it offers the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) for Years 11–13.
How do I enrol at Rotorua Lakes High School?
Enrolment forms and zone information are available on the Rotorua Lakes High School official site. Contact the office for an enrolment pack.
What is the school term timetable for 2026?
Term dates are published on the school calendar. Typically, Term 1 runs February to April, Term 2 May to July, Term 3 July to September, and Term 4 October to December.
For Rotorua families and parents considering the school, the key takeaway is straightforward: Rotorua Lakes High School sits firmly in the middle of the state secondary landscape—decile 5 (historically), around 1,100 students, strong pastoral care, and new leadership under Gwyneth Evans from 2026. The old decile system is gone, but the school’s community profile hasn’t changed overnight. For anyone navigating the Rotorua secondary school decision, the clear action is to visit the school during open days, check the official website for the uniform list and 2026 term dates, and ask Evans about her vision for the next phase of the school’s history.