Helpful Info

Here is some further information to help you live and study in NZ

Coming to New Zealand - Immigration and Visa Requirements

An International Student may enrol for up to 3 months on a visitor visa and must hold a student visa for longer study. Visas must be obtained prior to the student studying and can be obtained once an Offer of Place is received.

Accompanying parents will also require the appropriate visa and permit.

New Zealand Immigration has helpful guidance about visa applications and getting ready to enter the country.

For full information on visas for study, please click here or visit the Student Visa Guide and Student Visa Application.

Plan your move to NZ www.nzready.immigration.govt.nz

For more information on life as an international student in NZ https://naumainz.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/

International Students Safety

When students come to study in New Zealand, schools have an important responsibility to ensure that students and families are safe and properly cared for. To support this, the New Zealand government has developed a Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code).

Te Ao Mārama School is a Signatory to this Code, thus ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for every student.

The New Zealand Government Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 is available here in a range of languages.

Eligibility for Health Services

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website.

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students studying in New Zealand. Evidence of an insurance appropriate insurance policy (in English) should be supplied to Te Ao Mārama School as part of the application process.

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz.

Medical and Travel Insurance

All International Students must have medical and travel insurance prior to the student studying. Insurance must include unlimited medical care including repatriation and expatriation.

There are a range of medical organisations where insurance can be obtained online.

Proof of insurance cover is required before Te Ao Mārama School will confirm the student’s enrolment.

Behaviour Expectations

At Te Ao Mārama School staff maintain positive learning environments and relationships with students and we make a clear statement of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour known to all staff, parents and students.

Parents will be given a behaviour policy upon acceptance to sign.

Accommodation for families

In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, Te Ao Mārama School requires that all International Students live with their parent/s or a legal guardian.

For families there are accommodation options in our area:
Airbnb or Trademe Rentals

Refunds & Fees Protection

The fees paid for international students’ tuition are used to employ teachers and provide resources and facilities for these students. It is therefore not possible to fully refund fees. Under the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016, international fee paying students may be eligible for a refund or partial refund of fees that have been paid under some circumstances.

Refund Policy conditions will be sent with application forms.

The Board of Trustees of Te Ao Mārama School has a scheme in place to repay fees to International students in the extremely unlikely event of the school being unable to provide tuition.

Please follow this link to read our Refund Policy

Arrival and Orientation

Relationships and wellbeing are hugely important to our school.

When your child starts at Te Ao Mārama School, they will have a whānau teacher (Whānau means family in Te Reo Māori), and this teacher is your students key person who is also the main contact for parents and caregivers. You are welcome to communicate with this whānau teacher with any questions and concerns.

In addition, your child will be assigned a “buddy” from the same class to support their transition into our school.

During the year we have a wide range of events that help children and families build relationships. We will also introduce parents to other school families. Because of the diverse nature of our school, we can hopefully provide parents that speak the same first language.

Te Ao Mārama has a strong English language support programme and your child will participate in this alongside domestic students also requiring support. This will provide additional help to your child, as many of our domestic students speak the same language.

We will also encourage your child to join sports, music and cultural activities to help them meet new people and get to know other students.

Before starting school you will

receive a full information pack of everything you need to know
have the chance to do a tour of the school with the principal,
meet staff who work with international students,
meet your child’s buddy, who will show them around their class

Keeping up-to-date

We use several ways to keep families up to date with what is happening at school. Every 2-3 weeks newsletters are published and shared via email to share information about our school. Here is the link to previous newsletters here.

Our Facebook site is a great place to see our school in action and is updated regularly.

Our School Calendar is a great way to keep up to date with upcoming events.

Teachers are always happy to talk to you about your child’s learning by email, phone, or face to face.

Helpful Links

iStudent: https://www.istudent.org.nz/
Helping international students resolve complaints with their education provider

Education New Zealand: https://naumainz.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/about-naumai-nz
NauMai NZ is for international students studying or about to study in New Zealand. It's an opportunity to get useful information to help you experience our land, lifestyle and culture, and navigate daily life along the way!

Tourism New Zealand: www.tourismnewzealand.com
Tourism New Zealand's offers some valuable information about tourism opportunities for families while in New Zealand.

Study in New Zealand: www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz
The official Government site for advice on studying abroad in New Zealand. This site offers information on a range of courses at universities, institutes and schools. You can also read student stories of real life experiences and learn important information about the costs of living in New Zealand.

NZQA’s Studying in New Zealand: www.nzqa.govt.nz/studying-in-new-zealand
This site offers further information about New Zealand qualifications, secondary school and NCEA, Tertiary education and quality assurance of education in New Zealand.

New Zealand Now: www.newzealandnow.govt.nz
This Government website share information about living, working, studying and investing in New Zealand as well as information about visas, job prospects and the great lifestyle here.

Education New Zealand: www.enz.govt.nz
Education New Zealand (ENZ) raises awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and supports education providers and businesses to export their services and products.