• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Where to study

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The question of where to study is very complex as there is no one stand out location. When choosing a study destination you should consider many options. While the majority of Education Agents will try to steer you towards Auckland, there are many other equally as good options:

Which year group

If the student will be enrolling into tertiary study, then the study locations are obviously restricted to locations with tertiary providers. The city with the largest collection of tertiary providers is Auckland of which Auckland University is the biggest. There are a number of other cities have universities and technical colleges.

If the student is going into primary or secondary education there are far more opportunities, all across New Zealand. The New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) regulates schools, meaning you are going to get comparable quality of education regardless on where you go.

There are many opportunities across regional New Zealand

Language and Cultural Immersion

If the students goal is to experience the local culture it makes sense to go to a city which doesn’t have a high number of international students, this means Auckland is probably not the best choice. 80% of all international students choose to study in Auckland meaning Chinese and Indian language and culture eclipses that of kiwi culture at some institutions.

At a primary and secondary level, most students are enrolled in Auckland, with notable clusters in Wellington and Hamilton.

At a tertiary level, cities like Dunedin and Palmerston North have comparatively low numbers of international students.

Lifestyle

As a lifestyle location almost anywhere in New Zealand is great. Auckland is an international city with plenty of shops – however if this is too reminiscent of where the student is coming from they may wish to try somewhere where they will receive a new experience.

Finding Employment

For may students studying at a tertiary level. there is the concern of finding employment after graduation. While there is a perception that Auckland is the best place to do this due to the size of the city, the reality can be different.

Firstly, many students who study in the regions have been immersed in the local language and culture, thus enter the job market with on average a better level of English and understanding of local culture.

Secondly, being smaller communities there are many more opportunities for students to network and meet business owners – meaning they will often have relationships with businesses even before they graduate.

Lastly, there is significantly less competition in the regions. While many companies in the main centres are flooded with job applications, those in the regions often struggle to attract suitable candidates.

What are your interests?

Most importantly, it is important to choose your school and destination based on what academic interest is. For example if you want to study in a field of agri-tech it makes sense to go to a university which firstly provides that qualification and secondly is immersed in the agri-tech community.

Decile 1 – 10

A common misconception among many parents who choose to send their high school aged students to New Zealand is that decile grades equate to the quality of education. This is a falsehood.

Decile grades range from 1 too 10 and represent the wealth of the surrounding community. A community which is a decile 1 school will generally have a poorer community; while a decile 10 school will be one which is positioned in a wealthy community.

The decile grading system was established as a means for the government to identify schools which required additional funding. Decile 1 schools will get substantially more government funding than those which are a Decile 10, as the assumption is a wealthier community can afford to contribute to the school.

This means that paradoxically schools with lower decile grades often have better facilities than those of high deciles.

School zones

School zones will not affect international students, however any student who is enrolling as a domestic student will need to take school zones into consideration.

A school zone is the designated area around a particular school. Students who live within that area will have the first right to attend that school.

Students who live outside of a zone for a school they wish to attend can still apply to that school, however they will not be guaranteed a space.

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