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. The school closed its site temporarily in 1888 due to financial difficulties and classes for girls were held at Auckland Grammar School until the girls' school moved to new premises in Howe Street in 1909 and the name of the school changed to Auckland Girls' Grammar School. The school received the Goodman Fielder awards for School and Secondary School of the year in 2000.
The main block is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place.
Contents
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.
As of 2026, the school has an Equity Index of 485, 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).
Headmistresses
Sophia Stothard (died 1901): 1877–1878
Annie Whitelaw (1875–1966): 1906–1910
Blanche Butler (died 1967): 1911–1921
Rua Gardner (1901–1972): 1944–1967
Louise Gardner (ca. 1916–2006): 1967–1978
Charmaine Pountney: 1978–1988
Ngaire Ashmore (born ca. 1967): 2017–present
Notable alumnae
Frankie Adams – actress
Zoë Bell – stuntwoman and actress
Sue Bradford – politician, activist and former Green MP
Dorothy Butler – author
Barbara Calvert - professor of education
Sandra Coney – journalist and women's rights activist
Kayla Cullen – athlete, Northern Mystics and NZ Silver Ferns
Lana Coc-Kroft – NZ Miss Universe 1988, television presenter
Emily Karaka – artist
Golriz Ghahraman – politician and former Green MP, former United Nations lawyer
Kiri Allan – politician and Labour MP, Minister of Conservation, Minister for Emergency Management
Parris Goebel – international choreographer
Siositina Hakeai – athlete
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
Rose Matafeo – comedian, television presenter
Miriama McDowell – New Zealand actress, director and playwright