Central Takaka School is a friendly, whanau oriented school with a modern rural environment located 3km before the Takaka Township.  It has a long history, dating from 1896.

Central Takaka School is a U1 Decile 6 primary school catering for Year 1 to 6 students in two multi-level classes.  It has a teaching principal, a part and full-time teacher, an office administrator, a part-time teacher aide/librarian and a caretaker/cleaner.  The school attracts a variety of families from all over Golden Bay and the common reason for enrolling at Central is the school’s acknowledgement that all children are unique and have strengths and creativity to be shared and celebrated.  There is a focus on nurturing the individual learning of each child so that they can achieve to the best of their ability in a caring environment.  We strongly believe in empowering students to lead their own learning.  We believe in doing this by developing a sound foundation in Literacy/Numeracy with students being self-aware of the learning process.  This is also done by developing inquiry skills and fostering a real love for learning through having rich contextual experiences where students get to make meaningful decisions about their own learning.

The school has active and supportive parents who regularly assist both with in-school  and out-of-school activities as well as transport to events and school visits.  The school is whanau focused and has a strong Home and School group that organises fund-raising events.  Central Takaka School is a busy school.  The calendar features events such as school assemblies, sports tournaments, Twilight Fair, Pet Day, School Camp and much more.

The school has attractively laid out grounds and play areas, featuring a large playing field, a tennis court, a covered sandpit and an adventure playground set alongside a native tree forest.  We have a swimming pool that is used by the children and the community.