Wikipedia

Garin College

Garin College is a New Zealand Catholic, integrated, co-educational day and boarding secondary school in Nelson on the northern outskirts of Richmond. The college opened on 28 January 2002 to serve the Catholic community, particularly in the upper South Island.

Garin College
Location
Map
35 Champion Rd, Saxton, Nelson, New Zealand
Coordinates41°20′09″S 173°12′19″E / 41.3357°S 173.2052°E / -41.3357; 173.2052
Information
TypeIntegrated secondary (year 9–13) co-ed
MottoSmall School, Big Heart
Established2002; 24 years ago
Ministry of Education Institution no.
6975
Principal
John Maguire[1]
Enrollment642[2] (March 2026)
Socio-economic decile
8
Websitewww.garincollege.ac.nz

The college is named after Father Antoine Marie Garin (1810–1889) who was the founding pastor of the Catholic Church in Nelson. The proprietor of the school is the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington.

Enrolment

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As a state-integrated school, the proprietors of Garin College charge compulsory attendance dues to cover capital costs. For the 2025 school year, the attendance dues payable is $1,147 per year per student.[3]

As of March 2026, Garin College has a roll of 642 students, of which 82 (12.8%) identify as Māori.[2]

As of 2026, the school has an Equity Index of 429,[4] placing it amongst schools whose students have few socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 8 and 9 under the former socio-economic decile system).[5]

Houses

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Garin College has four houses. The houses all have individual names (all are named catholic religious figures) and are represented by colours. Siblings enrolled at the college are often put in the same house.[6]

Boarding hostels

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The school has accommodation for up to 56 boarders from outlying areas in its boarding hostel, separated into two houses by gender: Francis Douglas House for male students; and Mother Teresa House for female students.[7]

Haka

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The college's haka was written and performed for the first time in 2006, four years after the school first opened. It was first unveiled to the school and spectators at the 2006 annual Te Wairua o nga Mahi Toi festival. It was the opening act on the 2006 final Mahi Toi night.[8]

Garin values

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The name of the school has been backronymised to stand for: generosity, aroha (Māori for love), rangimarie (Māori for respect), integrity & new life

Principals

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Since its foundation in 2002, Garin College has had two principals.

Name Term
1 John Boyce 2002–2015
2 John Maguire 2016–present

Notable alumni & students

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References

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  1. ↑ Maij, Sara (7 June 2016). "Garin College deputy principal retires after 40 year career". The Nelson Mail.
  2. 1 2 "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "Attendance Dues | Archdiocese of Wellington". 4 December 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "New Zealand Equity Index". New Zealand Ministry of Education.
  5. ↑ "School Equity Index Bands and Groups". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  6. ↑ Games day 2017, Garin College news(Retrieved 26 February 2024)
  7. ↑ "Garin College Hostel". Garin College. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Boyce, John. "Mahi Toi Opening Address". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  9. 1 2 Pullar, Jess (12 December 2014). "Broods enjoy sibling revelry". Nelson Mail. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Meij, Sara (16 February 2018). "Nelson-born musician signs publishing deal with Universal Music". Nelson Mail. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Jones, Katy (28 March 2024). "Teen's love for nature takes him places". Stuff. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
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