Whanganui City College

Whanganui City College^[3] is located in Ingestre Street, Whanganui. It became Wanganui City College in 1994. It was formerly the Wanganui Technical College established in 1911 and it became Wanganui Boys' College in 1964.

Whanganui City College
Location
84 Ingestre Street, Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
Coordinates	39.9316°S 175.0458°E / -39.9316; 175.0458
Information
Funding type	State
Motto	Superanda Omnia Ferendo (By work, all things can be overcome)
Established	1911
Ministry of Education Institution no.	187
Principal	Peter Kaua
Years offered	9–13
Gender	Coeducational Secondary School
School roll	304[1] (July 2025)
Socio-economic decile	2E[2]
Website	www.wcc.school.nz

Enrolment

As of July 2025, Whanganui City College has a roll of 304 students, of which 226 (74.3%) identify as Māori.^[1]

As of 2025, the school has an Equity Index of 550,^[4] placing it amongst schools whose students have the most socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 1 and 2 under the former socio-economic decile system).^[5]

Notable alumni

Main category: People educated at Whanganui City College

• Peter Belliss (1965–68), World and Commonwealth bowls champion
• Ruka Broughton, tohunga, Anglican priest, and university lecturer
• Sir Paul Callaghan (1947–2012), professor, physicist, and 2011 New Zealander of the Year
• Air Commodore Al Deere, OBE, DSO, DFC & Bar, Battle of Britain pilot and author
• Arnold Downer (1895–1984), civil engineer, construction contractor and company director
• Andy Haden (1965–1968), All Black
• Michael Laws (1970–74, Hostel), Mayor of Whanganui 2004–10, National MP 1990–96, broadcaster, writer
• Mark Burton (1969–73), Labour MP & Cabinet Minister 1993–2008
• Waisake Naholo, All Black
• Paul Perez, Samoan Rugby International
• Akapusi Qera, Fijian Rugby International
• Graham Sims (1964–67, Hostel), All Black
• Rana Waitai, NZ First MP 1990–93
• Noel Scott, Labour MP Tongaririo 1984–90, founding principal Makoura College
• James Allen Ward, RNZAF pilot, recipient of VC
• Dick Tonks, New Zealand national rowing coach and Olympic medallist
• Chris Masoe, All Black

Early years

Wanganui Technical College

The school was established in 1911, an amalgamation of the Wanganui Technical School of Design (est. 1892) and Victoria Avenue District High School.^[6]

Wanganui Boys' College

Wanganui Technical College became Wanganui Boys' College from 1964.