OUR NEW ZEALAND HOMESTAY FAMILIES ARE WAITING TO WELCOME YOU TO AUCKLAND! WE CAREFULLY MATCH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH HOMESTAY ACCOMMODATION AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE A GOOD FIT THAT WILL MAKE YOUR TIME IN NEW ZEALAND EVEN MORE ENJOYABLE.
All our homestay families live in the local area, making the journey to school quick and convenient. You will have your own bedroom, allowing you privacy and a quiet environment to study; plus fibre internet makes keeping in contact with home easy.
Our dedicated Homestay Co-ordinators are on-call 24/7 to answer any questions you or your family may have before and during your stay. They will also report regularly to parents about how students are settling in.
HOMESTAY FAST FACTS
HOMESTAYS
• Close to the college
• Your own bedroom guaranteed
• Fast fibre internet
• Homestay Co-ordinators on-call 24/7 to answer your questions
• Homestay families and international students are carefully matched
MY HOMESTAY FAMILY HAS BEEN SO WELCOMING, I’VE ABSOLUTELY FELT AT HOME AND I KNOW I’LL STAY IN TOUCH WHEN I RETURN TO FRANCE. THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TIME HERE WAS GOING TO A BLUES GAME AT EDEN PARK WITH MY HOST FAMILY, AFTER THEY DISCOVERED THAT MY FAMILY BACK HOME IS RUGBY-MAD. I’VE ALSO HAD LOTS OF FUN SUPPORTING THE PAKURANGA COLLEGE RUGBY TEAMS EVERY WEEKEND.
I’VE REALLY ENJOYED MY TIME HERE – I’VE MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE, MADE WONDERFUL MEMORIES, AND MY ENGLISH HAS IMPROVED A LOT.
GABRIELLE, FRANCE
LOCAL AREA
• Nature on your doorstep - stunning parks and beaches
• Excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options
• Only 30 minutes from downtown Auckland
I HAD AN AMAZING TIME HERE IN NEW ZEALAND, THANKS TO MY NEW FRIENDS AND MY HOMESTAY FAMILY. MY HOST PARENTS HAVE BEEN VERY KIND AND RELAXED, THEY HAVE SUPPORTED ME THROUGHOUT MY EXPERIENCE. WE STARTED COMMUNICATING EVEN BEFORE MY ARRIVAL AND SINCE THE FIRST HOUR HERE THEY HAVE HELPED ME AND CARED ABOUT ME.
THEY HAVE INTRODUCED ME TO DIFFERENT TRADITIONS AND COOKED ME DELICIOUS MEALS. THE BEST DISH IS MY HOST MUM’S SUNDAY ROAST DINNER AND ONE DAY EVERY WEEK I COOK THEM ITALIAN DISHES. EGLE, ITALY
at Pakūranga College life
CURRICULUM
The school curriculum is core to student life at Pakūranga College. International students are integrated into regular classes with local students and can choose from over 40 subject options in Year 12 and 13, including our ever-popular Outdoor Education course.
ESOL support is provided where needed and we have Chinese interpreters available.
Our Year 12 and 13 courses give students the opportunity to gain New Zealand’s NCEA qualification at Levels 2 and 3, providing a pathway to tertiary study. NCEA is an internationally recognised qualification accepted by universities worldwide.
Year 11 students study a curriculum tailored to provide a strong foundation for the rigours of NCEA in Year 12. All subjects at this level offer NCEA-style evaluations, to ensure students are ready for external assessments in Year 12.
We are deeply committed to the success of our international students. In 2024, an impressive 93% of international students who sat NCEA Level 3 successfully earned their qualification and University Entrance. Our International and Careers Departments work closely with students to ensure they are enrolled in the right courses, accumulating the necessary credits, and staying on track to achieve their academic goals.
STUDENT SUPPORT
We appreciate that starting at a new school, particularly in a different country with a foreign language, is a real challenge. That’s why we take every opportunity to support our international students throughout their time with us.
Students will be allocated to one of six Wha-nau (Houses) when they arrive, which acts as a family at the college. International students can take any concerns to their
Whānau Group Teacher, whom they see four times a week, or to their Whānau Leader. The International Department works closely with teaching and pastoral care staff to ensure students are well-supported.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to superb teaching and excellent pastoral care, we pride ourselves on the wide range of co-curricular opportunities available to students. We have over 100 co-curricular groups and activities that students can take part in.
Students might like to dive into one of our 20+ sports codes including basketball, football, rugby, hockey, and swimming.
For students interested in the arts, we have Dance, Drama, and Music experiences available, plus interest-based Visual Arts groups, such as Wearable Arts. Our hip hop dance group is always extremely popular with both beginner and experienced dancers.
Students can also join one of our many cultural groups, including Māori and Pasifika. Te Tai o Pakūranga, the school Kapa Haka group, immerses members in Māori culture and many of our international students enjoy this taste of New Zealand.
THE BEST CLASS I’VE TAKEN AT PAKURANGA COLLEGE IS OUTDOOR EDUCATION. I’VE DONE SO MANY NEW THINGS – ROCK CLIMBING, CAMPING, EVEN SCUBA DIVING! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SIT TOO LONG IN A CLASSROOM, TAKE THIS CLASS! WE SPEND TIME AWAY FROM SCHOOL LEARNING IN THE ACTUAL OUTDOORS, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL IN NEW ZEALAND. IT’S VERY DIFFERENT FROM P.E. AT HOME, WHICH IS IN A GYM MOSTLY –I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND IT. THEO, GERMANY
OUR FACILITIES
Our large eight-hectare campus offers amazing facilities that support student learning and co-curricular participation, including:
• Brand new IT suites fitted with high-spec computers
• State-of-the-art IT network with high-speed fibre
• Media editing suite
• Fully equipped Science classrooms
• Technology building equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, industrial standard kitchens, robotics labs, and engineering workshops
• Arts centre with photography facilities
• Music suite with practice rooms
• Dance and Drama studios
• State-of-the-art library
• Extensive sports facilities, including:
- A heated swimming pool
- Rugby and football fields
- Indoor basketball, volleyball and badminton courts
- Tennis courts
- A flood-lit hockey turf
- A cricket pitch and nets
- Weights room
STUDY IS MORE RELAXED IN NEW ZEALAND THAN IN CHINA. IT FREES MY TIME UP, SO I CAN PARTICIPATE IN LOTS OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORT AND MUSIC. MY CLASSES ALSO GO ON LOTS OF TRIPS AND WE DO ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, WHICH SUPPORT WHAT WE’RE STUDYING.
KATHERINE, CHINA
amazing Auckland
THERE IS PLENTY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT WHEN STUDYING IN AUCKLAND. IN 2024, AUCKLAND WAS NAMED THE 9TH BEST CITY IN THE WORLD TO LIVE BY THE GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX, AND NEW ZEALAND WAS RANKED THE 4TH SAFEST COUNTRY IN THE GLOBAL PEACE INDEX. WE LOVE IT HERE AND WE KNOW YOU WILL TOO!
Pakūranga is a safe, quiet, and attractive suburb with highquality housing in East Auckland. It is close to beautiful beaches, large parks, and excellent shopping malls – and just 30 minutes by car or ferry from downtown Auckland with its excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Pakūranga College itself enjoys spacious grounds and a lush green environment. Adjacent to the school is Lloyd Elsmore Park, which is home to many facilities for sports such as hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, and athletics.
WHAT TO DO IN AUCKLAND
Auckland is an amazing city, located between two beautiful harbours. While you’re here take some time to explore, we recommend trying the activities below:
HEAD TO THE BEACH
East Auckland has beautiful calm beaches that are very safe to swim in. Popular Eastern Beach is close to the college, with beautiful views of the Waitemata Harbour.
TAKE THE FERRY
The Half Moon Bay Marina is very close to Pakūranga College. Check out the boats and see why Auckland is called the City of Sails or take a ferry trip. Ferries to downtown Auckland and the stunning Waiheke Island both depart from the marina.
HIKE A HILL
Auckland has 53 extinct volcanoes to explore. Climb to the top of Maungawhau/Mt Eden for an excellent view of the city, or walk up Ōhuiarangi/Pigeon Mountain beside the college for a bird’s eye view of the local area. See if you can spot your homestay house!
THINGS TO SEE IN NEW ZEALAND
International students can explore more of New Zealand with their parents, homestay family, or as part of an organised tour. Many of our students enjoy trips to other parts of the country during the school holidays. Popular destinations include:
COROMANDEL
A popular holiday playground for Aucklanders, the Coromandel is a short distance from the city. Fish the Thames coast, soak in the thermal waters at Hot Water Beach, kayak at Cathedral Cove and take a stroll in native bush.
ROTORUA
New Zealand’s geothermal and adventure tourism centre, Rotorua is a must. Experience Māori culture, zoom down the Luge, go Zorbing, mountain bike, walk in the canopy of Whakarewarewa Forest, relax in a geothermal pool, and see our volcanic springs and geysers.
SOUTH ISLAND
The South Island is full of stunning scenery. Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown, the home of the bungy jump. If you need more of a thrill, take a jet boat ride at 85km per hour on the Shotover River, get wet white-water rafting, or take to the clouds for some skydiving.
I VISITED MANY BEAUTIFUL PLACES DURING MY TIME IN NEW ZEALAND. WITH FRIENDS, I CAUGHT THE FERRY TO WAIHEKE ISLAND IN AUCKLAND, WHICH WAS A GREAT DAY. MY HOMESTAY FAMILY TOOK ME ON A TRIP TO TAUPOAND ROTORUA IN THE NORTH ISLAND. IT WAS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE; MY FAVOURITE WAS RACING DOWN THE LUGE IN ROTORUA – THAT WAS SUPER FUN!
KAZUKI, JAPAN
MY HIGHLIGHT, HAS BEEN VISITING THE SOUTH ISLAND. I WENT ON A 10-DAY TRIP, BOOKED BY THE COLLEGE STAFF. THERE WERE LOTS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON THE TOUR BUS AND I MADE SO MANY NEW FRIENDS THIS WAY. QUEENSTOWN WAS THE HIGHLIGHT, ESPECIALLY GOING JETBOATING ON THE SHOTOVER RIVER – THAT WAS THRILLING! MY PARENTS ARE COMING TO NEW ZEALAND AT THE END OF MY STAY, AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW THEM SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE DONE AND EXPLORE A BIT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND. THEO, GERMANY
