- Overview
- Learning at our school
- Apply Now
- Living in Mount Eden
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
We welcome International Students
Our school welcomes enquiries from International Students. We can provide a high-quality learning environment for primary aged children in New Zealand school years 0-6 which equates between ages 5 -11 years old.
We accept both short term (less than 10 weeks with a minimum of 3 weeks) and long term applications. Please read below before contacting us.
please note: applications for 2026 short term placements are closed.
For 2027 short term placements, please email catherinej@maungawhau.school.nz after 12 October 2026.
We take no short term placements in February.
PRE-ENROLMENT INFORMATION Maungawhau School observes and is bound by the Code of Practice 2021 for the Pastoral Care of International Students. The main criteria for children who are attending primary school in New Zealand is that a parent/legal guardian is living with them while they undertake study at our school. Copies of the code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) website.
Please use the “Apply Now” tab on this page to proceed with your application.
Learning at our school
There are a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural opportunities available to our students
Our school offers an innovative curriculum built around questions that engage our students. Reading, Writing and Mathematics form the core of our curriculum.
We have a specialist English language teacher who works four days a week to support students who are learning English. We have dedicated teachers in music, sports and a dedicated specialist school librarian. We also offer a great Garden to Table programme in which our Year 3 & 4 students plant, grow and harvest fruit and vegetables in our school garden then prepare meals in our dedicated kitchen.
Students who attend Maungawhau School go on to consistently achieve highly at senior schools both in academic and leadership areas. Many of our students also participate in activities that involve them exploring the New Zealand countryside by attending camps and other field trips/activities during the year.
We are consistently looking to improve our school and we work closely with families to ensure the best for all students. Through this close relationship with our families we have developed a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment where children flourish. Through hosting International students at Maungawhau we believe we are building global citizens of tomorrow, as well as helping all students to develop a deep respect and understanding of other cultures.
For more detailed information on our learning environment at Maungawhau, click the button below.
International Student Application
Below are all the relevant application documents for International Students
CONDITIONS OF ENROLMENT
By New Zealand law, for children of primary school age, Maungawhau School requires that all international students live with a parent or legal guardian while attending our school.
We accept both short term (less than 10 weeks with a minimum of 3 weeks) and long term applications. Please read below before contacting us.
please note: applications for 2026 short term placements are closed.
For 2027 short term placements, please email catherinej@maungawhau.school.nz after 12 October 2026.
We take no short term placements in February.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
The applicant must complete and provide the following checklist before the application can be processed:
● A certified copy Student’s Passport
● Completed International Student Application (attached below)
● Immunisation/health checklist including vaccination record from home country
● Information on any medical conditions or learning difficulties (if applicable)
● Recent photograph of the child and any copies of recent school report with verified English translation
Once the above paperwork has been submitted to the school and your application is successful, you will receive an offer of place and invoice. The offer of place is to be provided to Immigration NZ to obtain a visa that qualifies them to enrol at the school.
The following then needs to be supplied to the school in order to finalise the enrolment
● Student Visa
● Medical and travel insurance (including dental cover)
Immigration
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements, are available through New Zealand Immigration and can be viewed on their website at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
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 related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz
Medical and Travel Insurance
International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. This must be provided on enrollment and before your child starts school.
Please note:
For all international students enrolled at our school it is a requirement that the student has appropriate insurance covering:
● their travel to, from and within New Zealand
● medical care while in New Zealand
● repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious injury or illness
● death
It is compulsory for all students to have travel and medical insurance.
The Code requires schools to have practices that ensure, as far as practicable, each international school learner enrolled for educational instruction of 2 weeks’ duration or longer has appropriate insurance (clause 65(1)).
Key insurance requirements include:
● an international school learner’s travel to and from New Zealand, within New Zealand, and if part of educational instruction, outside of New Zealand
● medical care in New Zealand
● repatriation or expatriation of the international learner as a result of serious illness, injury, or death (including funeral expenses).
Full details can be found in Process 5: Insurance (clause 65(1)-(3)) of the Code.
Some international learners may have pre-existing insurance either privately, through their parents, or eligibility to public health services which cover some or all the Code’s requirements.
We recommend Orbit Protect and Southern Cross as insurance providers
Living in Mount Eden
Here are a few things that will help you navigate your way around Mount Eden and Auckland
Mount Eden is well placed for feeling like you’re living in a city but also away from the crowds. It is only 10 minutes by bus from the city but in the heart of beautiful, historic tree-lined streets which are very popular with young families. Close by we have great access to a huge variety of parks and mountains, public libraries, supermarkets, sports clubs and we are within ten minutes of two of the largest Westfield shopping malls. Maungawhau School is located alongside popular Dominion Road with its large number of international restaurants, a movie theatre and children’s parks. The neighbourhood is well serviced by public transport links and is only 20 mins to the airport.
English for Students of Other Languages (ESOL)
At Maungawhau School we are very fortunate to have students whose parents come from all corners of the world. We value diversity and celebrate our multicultural school community.
Our goal at Maungawhau School is to support learners on their bilingual journey. Emergent bilinguals (EBs) are supported in class by classroom teachers and learning support staff. Some EBs will attend ESOL classes at scheduled times during the week with trained learning support staff.
You will find these links useful to practice your English: Kiwi Kids News & Spelling City