Why Choose Us?
Country Life on the Edge of the City
Just one hour southwest of Auckland City, Waiuku College offers a true rural experience within 45 minutes of the city.
A True New Zealand Experience
International student numbers are kept low so that students can easily integrate into Waiuku College life.
Small, Friendly Community
Waiuku is an attractive town with supportive, friendly homestays and a real sense of community that is often lost in larger cities.
Adventure Sports and the Outdoors
With close access to farms, beaches rivers and harbours, students are able to take part in a multitude of sports and activities.
Our International Programme is regarded as a Good Practice model by Education NZ.
- Located in the Auckland region of New Zealand
- A true Kiwi experience
- Safe learning environment
- Excellent NCEA results – average 85% passes for all 3 Levels
- Pathways for international students to universities
- Strong ESOL support – Immersion English & Academic English programmes
- Individualised academic programme – flexible arrangement across levels
- Multicultural International Student Department to provide strong student support
- Small number of international students to allow interaction with local students
- Good & caring homestay families including farm & horse homestay families
- Various sports available including clay bird shooting & equestrian
- Short term & semester exchange programmes available
Waiuku College has approximately 1,000 students including international students from Germany, France, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China, Brazil, to name a few and offers students a true New Zealand experience. Set in safe and beautiful natural surroundings, Waiuku is a country town in the Auckland Region hosting about 6000 people. It is only 60km from the Auckland city centre and 17 minutes by car to the next larger town, Pukekohe. Waiuku is famous for its wild West Coast black sand beach for surfing, riding and paragliding.
For students who seek horse riding or other equestrian adventures, farm homestay families are available to them (transport to school is free by our school bus). Waiuku also has many amenities such as a large supermarket, cafés, restaurants, tennis club, swimming pool, golf course, fitness centres, etc.
Waiuku College provides students with a safe and academically driven environment to achieve their potential. Apart from the English, Mathematics and Science subjects, our school offers many other options:
- ESOL, Art, Drama, Graphic Design, Business Studies, Photography, Sculpture, Painting/Drawing, Maori, Woodwork, Hospitality, Home Economics, etc.
- A variety of sporting activities are also available after school: tennis, clay bird shooting, hockey, rock climbing, soccer, rugby, basketball, golf, equestrian, cricket, etc.
- For students who enjoy music, we have a strong Music Department which offers options to sing in a choir, play instruments and/or join the school band.
Our Town & Region
Less than an hour from Auckland city, Waiuku offers a small town and country living experience with access to farms, beaches, rivers and harbours, along with a multitude of sports teams and clubs.
Maori Culture and Heritage
Maori culture and performing arts are strong and popular at our school, something which many of our international students enjoy getting involved with.
A New Zealand Experience
Our international student numbers are kept low to ensure there is effective integration and English language learning at all times. Student numbers in senior classes are also kept low to ensure academic success for those wishing to achieve University entrance.
For further information, please contact Antoinette Walters- Director of Global & Community Relations
Come and enjoy academic success & experience the true Kiwi lifestyle here at Waiuku College!
“I’ve had the time of my life at Waiuku College! The people in Waiuku are absolutely lovely and it’s so easy to make friends. I’m still in touch with a lot of people I met on my exchange and especially my host family who are like a second family to me now. There’s so much to do: kayaking to the waterfall, going for a swim at Kariotahi Beach.”
Clara Gunter, Germany.
Now studying at university in Germany.
“Attending Waiuku College was the most precious experience I had in my life. All the people in Waiuku College were so friendly and kind, the teachers were very helpful with my study and English. Because of their help I was able to pass my subjects and get into the university that I wanted. I strongly suggest Waiuku College to any one who is keen to experience a traditional Kiwi style of college.”