Tauranga Pop. 114,789
Rotorua Pop. 65,901
Institutions
Lifestyle
With excellent teachers and a wide range of institutions that work together to help students achieve their goals, the Bay of Plenty is a great choice for an overseas study experience. The region’s schools have low ratios of international students, making it easier to feel a part of the school community, while tertiary courses have smaller class sizes to give students more one-to-one time with teaching staff.
The Bay of Plenty has an internationally-recognised university, extensive technical and vocational study options, highly-regarded primary and secondary schools, and flexible English language programmes.
Three tertiary education providers - Te Whare Wānaga o Awanuiārangi, Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato - have developed a partnership and now provide many pathways to education. They have also increased the range of programmes, certificates, diplomas and degrees offered in the region.
The three institutions are developing a new shared campus in central Tauranga to give all their students a university campus experience, as well as acting as a hub for teaching, learning and research.
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.
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 gives students a combination of lively city attractions, amazing geothermal wonders and a relaxed beach lifestyle. Study in the region and explore the 125kms of white sandy beaches, Māori culture and heritage, and a breathtaking natural landscape made up of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and hot springs.
Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane have great shopping, cafes, restaurants, bars, arts galleries, museums, sports facilities and recreational activities.
Students live close to stunning nature, with white sand beaches, lakes, hot pools, and forests on their doorstep.
The Bay of Plenty is one of the sunniest regions in the country, and Tauranga is one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. Mount Maunganui has been voted the country’s best beach by TripAdvisor users, while Rotorua’s geothermal attractions will leave you relaxed and refreshed.
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.
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.
The Bay of Plenty’s education providers have strong ties with local industry, making it easy for students to forge relationships with potential future employers during internships and work placements. Seasonal work available for students includes picking kiwifruit and working in shops, cafes, restaurants and bars in tourist hotspots.
The Bay of Plenty attracts many innovative, high-value export businesses that require skilled graduates who understand New Zealand’s key international export markets.
Tourism is an important source of graduate and part-time student jobs. The Bay of Plenty is a popular destination for national and international tourists, with Rotorua - along with Auckland and Queenstown - part of the ‘golden triangle’ of New Zealand tourism.
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.
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.
Discover more about the Bay of Plenty region at educationtauranga.co.nz
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