Auckland Girls' Grammar School
School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
"Through trials to triumph"
| Auckland Girls' Grammar School | |
|---|---|
The school seen from Hopetoun Street, looking north | |
| Location | |
 | |
Howe Street, Newton, Auckland 36.8569°S 174.7537°E | |
| 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 |
| Enrollment | 1,191[1] (July 2026) |
| Colours | gold, navy blue |
Socio-economic decile | 3H[2] |
| Website | aggs.school.nz |
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 2026, Auckland Girls' Grammar School has a roll of 1,191 students.[1]
As of 2026, the school has an Equity Index of 485,[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
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- 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
- 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
- Marté Szirmay - artist
- 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]
