Please read this through before you leave your home country!!!
The day is coming close and you finally start your journey to New Zealand! To make sure you have all the information you need, please read through this pre-arrival information!
- Passport and current visa to study in New Zealand
- Travel/medical insurance policy
- Description and details of your shuttle service.
- Any prescriptions for necessary medications
- Laptop/Mobile/device chargers
- Adaptor plug for electrical products
- Personal items and clothes.
- Spending money/ credit card
- Contact details and address of your homestay family
- Emergency plan Taupo-nui-aTia College
- A Sun hat
- 50+ ozone protection sunblock
COVID related information to enter NZ
For the latest COVID information to enter NZ please follow the following link:
https://www.customs.govt.nz/covid-19/personal/travelling-to-nz/
- Make sure we know your flight and arrival details and notify us immediately if there are any changes. We need this to make sure you are met at the airport. (+64 21 827642)
- Pack your own bags. DO NOT carry anything for another person.
- When you arrive at Auckland Airport you should have completed a passenger Arrival card (these are usually given out to you on the plane). You MUST declare all food even if it is packaged. You are not allowed to bring fresh food into N.Z. You may be charged a fine if you do.
- You should not carry a large amount of cash.
- You will go through Passport Control, Baggage Claim and Customs.
- Coming out of customs, you follow the instructions you received about your travel to Taupo. You will be picked up by Luxury Airport Shuttles or the company Rock and Road. Or you will transfer onto the domestic flight from Auckland to Taupo.
- If you get lost or cannot see your name on a sign, please ring the International Director, Aniek Lenoir at +64 21 827642. DO NOT LEAVE THE AIRPORT- we will always find you.
- If you do have money with you, it is easy to change it at the airport although the fees charged there are higher.
- $200 NZD is plenty to see you through the first few days.
- Please arrive in NZ at least a couple of days before school starts. This will help you recover from jetlag, settle into your new homestay, and prepare for school.
- We run an orientation for all new students, to introduce you to our school.
- The first day of school, you will be welcomed with a traditional Powhiri ceremony. Girls need to wear a skirt for this occasion. A Powhiri is a traditional Maori welcome. Please read more about it on https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/powhiri-maori-welcome/
- You will also meet with the International Director individually to discuss your final subject selection to ensure you are doing the subjects you need or want to do at the required level. You will be given a timetable. You will be able to choose 6 subjects. Each day you will have three subjects for 90 minutes.
- If you are doing Outdoor Education please make sure you bring some strong shoes or sports shoes and clothing suitable for all weather conditions.
- School begins at 8.50 am and finishes at 3.10 pm
- We have a school canteen where you can buy lunch, but your homestay will normally provide you with lunch. Have a peek at the Instagram page: nuicanteen to see the daily specials.
- There is a huge range of sports and cultural activities. Listen to the Daily Notices to find out about their meetings. We highly recommend you join a club or team – it is the best way to get to know other students.
- Your family has been specially chosen for you. They will act in place of your parents while you are in NZ
- All families have different habits and customs and it is important to find out what your new family expects of you.
- You will have your own room and usually share a bathroom.
- Your homestay family will feed you 7 days a week, 3 meals per day. In NZ we tend to eat light meals for lunch and larger, cooked meals at dinner. Food in NZ may be different to what you are used to.
- Your host family will show you how to get to school. You are not allowed to drive a car or own a car while you are an international student at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College.
- Some host families can be solo parents and most parents work.
- If you are unhappy about your homestay family, please talk to us about it.
- In NZ it is illegal to buy cigarettes and vaping products under the age of 18.
- In NZ it is illegal to drink alcohol under 18 years.
- In NZ we drive on the left hand side of the road- be very careful crossing the road. LOOK BOTH WAYS!
- In NZ the emergency number is 111 for ambulance, fire and police.
- If you are in need of a doctor or dentist, you must pay. You can claim the cost back on your insurance and the international department is happy to help you with this.
- For all minor health concerns, we recommend you utilize the school Baytrust (Nurse, physiotherapist and mental health providers, free of charge)
- You are able to work part time (You must declare this on your Student-Visa application if you wish to do this). This must be approved by the Department of Immigration, Western Heights High School and your parents.
If you have any questions, we are here to help you.
We want to keep you safe and happy and for you to enjoy every experience, every opportunity.