Auckland Girls' Grammar School

Auckland Girls' Grammar School (AGGS) is a New Zealand secondary school for girls located in Newton, Auckland. Established in 1878 as Auckland Girls' High School, it is one of the oldest secondary institutions in the country.^[3] The school closed its site temporarily in 1888 due to financial difficulties^[4] and classes for girls were held at Auckland Grammar School^[5] until the girls' school moved to new premises in Howe Street in 1909^[6] and the name of the school changed to Auckland Girls' Grammar School.^[7][8][9] The school received the Goodman Fielder awards for School and Secondary School of the year in 2000.^[10]

Auckland Girls' Grammar School
The school seen from Hopetoun Street, looking north
Location
Howe Street, Newton, Auckland
Coordinates	36.8569°S 174.7537°E / -36.8569; 174.7537
Information
Type	State single-sex girls' secondary school (Years 9–13)
Motto	Latin: Per Angusta Ad Augusta "Through trials to triumph"
Established	1878
Ministry of Education Institution no.	53
Principal	Ngaire Ashmore
School roll	1160[1] (July 2025)
Colour(s)	gold, navy blue
Socio-economic decile	3H[2]
Website	aggs.school.nz

The school seen from the air in 1934

The main block is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place.^[11]

Enrolment

In 2018, Auckland Girls' Grammar School had 1,030 students enrolled and is 100% female. The number of international students was 22. As of July 2025, Auckland Girls' Grammar School has a roll of 1160 students.^[1]

As of 2025, the school has an Equity Index of 487,^[12] placing it amongst schools whose students have above average socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 4 and 5 under the former socio-economic decile system).^[13]

Headmistresses

Ngaire Ashmore in 2022

• Sophia Stothard (died 1901): 1877–1878^[14]
• Annie Whitelaw (1875–1966): 1906–1910^[15][7]
• Blanche Butler (died 1967): 1911–1921^[16]
• Rua Gardner (1901–1972): 1944–1967^[17]
• Louise Gardner (ca. 1916–2006): 1967–1978^[18]
• Charmaine Pountney: 1978–1988^[19]
• Ngaire Ashmore (born ca. 1967): 2017–present^[20][21]

Notable alumnae

Main category: People educated at Auckland Girls' Grammar School

• Frankie Adams – actress^[22]
• Zoë Bell – stuntwoman and actress^[23]
• Sue Bradford – politician, activist and former Green MP
• Dorothy Butler – author^[24]
• Barbara Calvert - professor of education^[25]
• Sandra Coney – journalist and women's rights activist^[24]
• Kayla Cullen – athlete, Northern Mystics and NZ Silver Ferns^[24]
• Lana Coc-Kroft – NZ Miss Universe 1988, television presenter^[26]
• Emily Karaka – artist^[24]
• Golriz Ghahraman – politician and former Green MP, former United Nations lawyer^[24]
• Kiri Allan – politician and Labour MP, Minister of Conservation, Minister for Emergency Management
• Parris Goebel – international choreographer^[27]
• Siositina Hakeai – athlete^[28]
• Hon. Laila Harré – union leader, politician, former Alliance MP and Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister of Youth Affairs, Minister of Statistics, Associate Minister of Labour and Commerce
• Doreen Lumley – athlete^[29]
• Rose Matafeo – comedian, television presenter^[24]
• Miriama McDowell – New Zealand actress, director and playwright^[30]
• Ani O'Neill – artist^[24]
• Merimeri Penfold – Māori educator^[24]
• Sheryl Scanlan – netball player^[24]
• Miriama Smith – actress^[30]
• Pauline Stansfield – disability rights advocate
• Kahurangi Taylor – Miss New Zealand 2008
• Munokoa Tunupopo – athlete, Auckland and White Ferns
• Hon. Dame Georgina Manunui te Heuheu – politician, former National MP and Minister for Courts, Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Associate Minister of Maori Affairs^[24]
• Poto Williams – politician and Labour MP, Assistant Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives^[24]
• Tammy Wilson – Black Ferns^[24]
• Katrina Rore – netballer
• Tiana Epati – President of the New Zealand Law Society^[31]