Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty schools have low ratios of international students, making it easier for you to meet Kiwi friends, practice your English language skills and feel a part of the school community.

Options include small primary schools in close-knit country areas; large, well resourced intermediate schools; primary and secondary schools in small towns; and city schools in Tauranga and Rotorua.

High-quality pastoral care is an important part of going to school in the Bay of Plenty. Schools make the happiness, safety and welfare of international students a priority.

Study at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus and you’ll benefit from smaller class sizes than at most universities.

The small class sizes allow students to get to know each other better and have more one-to-one interactions with lecturers.

Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic also has smaller classes sizes to give students lots of personal attention and support. In 2014, the polytechnic recorded a student satisfaction level of 90%.

The Bay of Plenty is the perfect base for your New Zealand adventure.

Auckland is only 2 ½ hours away by car - 30 minutes by plane.

Living in the Bay of Plenty is like being on holiday all year round - the region has long been one of New Zealand’s favourite places to escape to. Visit the dynamic city of Tauranga, culturally vibrant Rotorua or sunny Whakatane, where you can swim with dolphins and explore New Zealand’s only active island volcano.

Learn about a unique culture in the Bay of Plenty.

The region is rich in Māori culture and heritage, which is reflected in the region’s schools and tertiary education system.

You’ll also have a chance to experience many Māori tourism activities in the area, from paddling a waka (canoe) on a lake to learning about traditional Māori wild foods on a bush walk.

Rotorua is known as a showcase of Māori culture, and is also a good place to explore geothermal activity such as mud pools, geysers and natural hot springs.

Study in the Bay of Plenty and you may find yourself earning money to support your studies by picking kiwifruit.

New Zealand produces about 35% of the world’s kiwifruit. More than three-quarters of the country’s kiwifruit are grown in the Bay of Plenty, and the industry is a major source of casual work. The picking season run from March to June, but pruning and other work continues through to September.

Seasonal work is also available picking avocado and citrus fruit, and working in cafes, restaurants, bars and shops in the tourist hotspots of Rotorua and Mount Maunganui.

Education institutions have strong connections with the region’s business community, working closely together to give students the skills that employers demand.

Many students obtain internships and work placements in the Bay of Plenty’s leading companies. At Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, 75% of students have a work placement in industry as part of their study programme.

From export-led companies to innovative tourism operators, Bay of Plenty industries offer students lots of opportunities to learn while doing.