Every year, a handful of New Zealand students hear their name called at the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards, but 2025 felt different. This time, the winners came not just from Auckland’s private schools but from regional colleges like Avondale and Huanui, pulling off top-in-the-world results.

4 related posts

Cambridge exam entries in NZ (2024): 475,075 ·
Consecutive years NZ voted best education system: 5 ·
Top in World awards by ACG Parnell in 2024: 7 ·
Top in World awards by individual students in 2025: 2 ·
Top in New Zealand awards at ACG Parnell in 2024: 15

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which single school is the absolute best for Cambridge? (No official nationwide ranking exists)
  • Total number of Top in World awards across all NZ schools in 2025 (incomplete public data)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Further Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards likely in November 2026 cycle
  • Growing interest from parents in non-Auckland schools may shift enrolment patterns

Six key data points frame the 2025 Cambridge results landscape for New Zealand schools.

Metric Value
Total Cambridge exam entries in NZ (2024) 475,075
Number of schools offering Cambridge in NZ Over 100
Top in World awards in 2024 by ACG Parnell 7
Top in World awards in 2025 by individual students 2
Consecutive years NZ voted best education system 5
Year of latest data 2025

What are the top 10 schools in NZ?

Top schools based on Cambridge results

No official Ministry of Education ranking exists for Cambridge results, but several schools have publicly reported their 2025 award tallies. Pinehurst School, for example, announced 5 Top in World awards, 12 Top in New Zealand awards, and 4 High Achievement awards (Pinehurst School, official news). ACG Schools collectively won 40 of the 143 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards presented nationwide, including 14 Top in World awards (ACG Schools, corporate newsroom).

A 2025 ranking compiled by Crimson Education and referenced by Woodford School placed St. Cuthbert’s College first, ACG Parnell second, Kristin School third, and Pinehurst School fourth (Woodford School / Crimson Education, third-party ranking PDF).

Other notable schools

Bottom line: Pinehurst, ACG Parnell, and Avondale lead the pack in publicly reported Cambridge awards, but the absence of a single official ranking means parents must weigh multiple sources. For families seeking top-tier results, these schools offer the strongest track record.

The upshot

Regional schools like Avondale and Huanui are now competing with Auckland’s private institutions, giving families outside the major city more options for world-class Cambridge education.

What schools in New Zealand do Cambridge?

List of Cambridge schools in NZ

More than 100 New Zealand schools offer Cambridge International exams, including both state and private institutions. The ACG network (ACG Parnell, ACG Strathallan, ACG Sunderland) is a major provider, along with Pinehurst School, Avondale College, Huanui College, and many others. Cambridge is delivered through International Schools, independent schools, and some state-integrated schools.

How to find a Cambridge school

The best way to locate a school is through the Cambridge International directory or by checking individual school websites. Many schools in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and regional centres offer the curriculum. ACG Schools alone reported 40 of the 143 Outstanding Learner Awards in 2025 (ACG Schools, corporate newsroom).

The implication: Cambridge is increasingly accessible, not just in top-tier private schools but also in well-regarded state schools like Avondale College.

Which school is best for Cambridge?

Top performing schools in 2025

Based on 2025 data, Pinehurst School (5 Top in World awards), ACG Parnell (part of the ACG network with 14 Top in World across the group), and Avondale College (1 Top in World) stand out. However, “best” depends on the student’s subject interests, location, and school culture. For example, Oscar Cao at Avondale College achieved Top in World for IGCSE Biology and also Top in New Zealand for Physics and Chemistry (Avondale College, official announcement).

Factors to consider

  • Academic specialisation: Some schools excel in sciences, others in humanities.
  • Class size and teacher support: Private schools often offer smaller classes.
  • Cost: Private schools like ACG charge tuition; state schools like Avondale are free.

The trade-off: a private school may offer more resources, but a state school with a strong Cambridge programme can deliver top results at no cost.

Where does NZ rank in world education?

New Zealand’s global education ranking

New Zealand has been voted the best education system in the world for five consecutive years, according to the World Population Review, international ranking organisation. The country also scores well in PISA tests, particularly in reading and science. Education quality is high due to qualified teachers, an innovative curriculum, and strong government investment.

Reasons for high ranking

  • Qualified teaching workforce with strong professional development
  • Balanced curriculum combining NCEA, Cambridge, and IB options
  • Small class sizes and emphasis on student wellbeing

Why this matters: New Zealand’s global reputation attracts international students and reinforces the value of Cambridge qualifications earned here.

What are the 2025 Cambridge International exam results for New Zealand schools?

Key achievements in 2025

The 2025 Cambridge examination series saw New Zealand students earn multiple Top in World awards, with Avondale College’s Oscar Cao winning for IGCSE Biology and a Huanui College student winning for AS-Level. ACG Schools collectively took 40 of the 143 national awards. Pinehurst School reported five Top in World awards, including Taeyun (Seth) Lim for AS Level Mathematics and Si Yuan (Gina) Xiang for IGCSE Mathematics (Pinehurst School, official news).

Comparison with previous years

In 2020, Macleans College set a then-record with 10 top-in-world awards (NZ Herald, national newspaper). While 2025’s individual school tallies are lower, the distribution of awards across more schools suggests a broader spread of excellence.

The pattern: New Zealand’s Cambridge results are becoming less concentrated in a few elite schools and more dispersed across the country.

The paradox

While the total number of Top in World awards per school may be falling, the overall number of students achieving top marks is rising, as more schools enter the Cambridge arena.

Comparison: Top Cambridge schools in NZ (2025)

Three schools reported the most awards, but each has a different profile.

School Top in World awards Top in NZ awards Type
Pinehurst School 5 12 Private
ACG Parnell College (part of ACG network) 14 (network total) 15 Private
Avondale College 1 4 State

The takeaway: private schools dominate the top spots, but Avondale College proves that state schools can also produce world-class results.

Upsides and downsides of Cambridge in NZ

Upsides

  • Internationally recognised qualification
  • Flexible subject options
  • Strong support from schools like ACG and Pinehurst

Downsides

  • Cost of private school tuition
  • Limited availability in some regions
  • Fewer resources than NCEA in some state schools

For most families, the choice between Cambridge and NCEA comes down to whether the student plans to study overseas — Cambridge’s international recognition can be a decisive advantage.

Timeline: New Zealand Cambridge results milestones

  • 2018: First notable online search for “Nz schools top cambridge results 2018”
  • 2020: Macleans College wins 10 top-in-world awards, a national record at the time (NZ Herald, national newspaper)
  • 2021: Continued strong performance from NZ schools
  • 2024: ACG Parnell College earns 7 Top in World awards (ACG Schools, corporate newsroom)
  • 2025: Avondale and Huanui students achieve Top in World; NZ voted best education system for 5th consecutive year

The timeline shows a clear shift: while Auckland private schools dominated early, regional schools are now claiming top honours.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Avondale College student Oscar Cao Top in World for IGCSE Biology (Avondale College, official announcement)
  • ACG Parnell College 7 Top in World awards 2024
  • Huanui College student Top in World for AS-Level 2025 (Huanui College Facebook, school social media)
  • New Zealand voted best education system for 5 years

What’s unclear

  • Which single school is the absolute best for Cambridge? (No official ranking)
  • Total number of Top in World awards across all NZ schools in 2025

Voices from the schools

Leading the achievements is Year 12 student Oscar Cao, whose exceptional performance saw him awarded Top in the World for IGCSE Biology.

— Avondale College, official announcement (Avondale College, primary source)

The Huanui College student’s 2025 exam results were the best globally, earning her a Top in the World award for Cambridge International AS-Level.

— NZ Herald, national newspaper (NZ Herald, established media)

In 2024, our students earned an impressive 7 ‘Top in the World’ Cambridge Awards and 15 ‘Top in New Zealand’ Awards.

— ACG Parnell College, school website (ACG Schools, official newsroom)

New Zealand’s Cambridge results in 2025 tell a story of widening opportunity. Regional schools like Avondale and Huanui are matching the achievements of historic private powerhouses, and the country’s education system continues to earn global respect. For parents in Auckland or beyond, the choice is no longer limited to a handful of elite institutions: the top results are now achievable in state schools with strong Cambridge programmes. For families outside the major centres, the implication is clear: look beyond the traditional rankings, because the next top-in-world student might be at a school closer to home.

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Additional sources

youtube.com, instagram.com, smart-nz.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Cambridge curriculum?

Cambridge International is a globally recognised curriculum offering IGCSE, AS-Level, and A-Level qualifications. It is offered in over 100 New Zealand schools.

How do NCEA and Cambridge compare?

NCEA is the national qualification, while Cambridge is an international one. Cambridge is often preferred by students aiming for overseas universities.

Are Cambridge results accepted by New Zealand universities?

Yes, all New Zealand universities accept Cambridge qualifications for entry, often with specific grade requirements.

How many schools in New Zealand offer Cambridge?

Over 100 schools offer Cambridge International exams, including both state and private institutions.

What is the difference between IGCSE and A-Level?

IGCSE is typically taken in Years 11, while A-Levels are taken in Years 12-13. A-Levels are more advanced and specialised.

Do private schools in New Zealand have better Cambridge results?

Private schools like ACG and Pinehurst often report more awards, but state schools like Avondale College also achieve top honours.

How to enroll in a Cambridge school in New Zealand?

Contact the school directly or visit the Cambridge International website for a list of approved centres.