Fewer people moving to Australia and more Aucklanders moving to Tauranga have contributed to growth in city primary schools.
Robert Hyndman, principal of Brookfield School and president of Western Bay of Plenty Principals' Association, said feedback from principals revealed most schools were experiencing higher than usual rolls.
"What we are noticing is when the recession hit we had people going to Australia and that's not happening now. People seem to be migrating in, not out. We've got families moving here now from Auckland as well."
Mr Hyndman said his school roll was higher than forecast and was at 194. His funded roll was for 200 students and he expected to be "well above" that in July.
At Bellevue School, rolls yesterday were at 321, almost 50 students higher than the same time last year. Principal Dave Bell said this was because more people were moving into the area from out of town.