Education

It’s not just the great natural assets that attract people to the Bay of Plenty - the educational opportunities and the reputation of the local schools is another critical factor. In a country renowned for the quality of its education system, the region has excellent facilities and, as one of the most sought after places to live, attracts teachers of a very high calibre.

Whether you are a parent seeking information on schooling or an adult looking at going back to learn, Tauranga can meet your needs. Educational facilities range from care for very young babies through to school age and beyond, including 25 primary, four intermediate and eight secondary schools, as well as a polytechnic and a university.

Early childhood education is well catered for, reflecting the strong growth in young families choosing to reside in the Western Bay of Plenty.  There are over 30 early childhood centres to choose from, ranging from privately run establishments, to free kindergartens, pre-school and community education centres, montessori, playcentres, rudolf steiner and shalom kindergartens and several maori immersion centres.  Click here for a listing of local pre-schools.  For those wanting quality in-home education and childcare, the PORSE network can cater for your needs.

There are 25 primary schools, 4 at intermediate level (approximately 10-12 years of age) in the region.  Click here for a listing of local primary schools.

Secondary schools include Otumoetai College (www.otumoetaicollege.co.nz), Bethlehem College (Christian) (www.beth.school.nz), Mount Maunganui College (www.mmc.school.nz), Aquinas College (Catholic) (www.aquinas.school.nz), Te Puke College (www.tepuke.school.nz) and Katikati College (www.katikaticollege.school.nz), which are all co-educational. There are also two very well regarded single sex schools: Tauranga Girls’ College (www.tgc.school.nz) and Tauranga Boys’ College (www.tbc.school.nz).

Students at secondary schools in the region consistently rank above national averages in terms of exam results, achieving some of the highest marks in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) in the country. The year round temperate climate provides lots of opportunities for outdoor activities for students, with one school regularly holding phys ed lessons on the beach!

An added benefit to living in the Bay is the opportunity for your children to participate in the INSTEP programme, which links secondary school students, principals, teachers, career advisors and parents to local career opportunities. The programme is a unique and flexible model, using interactive experiences to paint a picture of exciting career opportunities in industry sectors that are experiencing strong growth. This gives employers the opportunity to showcase their business and encourages students to consider options they were previously unaware existed.

Tertiary education facilities in the Bay of Plenty are of a very high standard. In addition to a university and polytechnic, there are also a number of private training institutions providing New Zealand Qualification Authority approved programmes through practical skills-based courses.

Set on a spacious campus in rural surroundings but only minutes from the centre of Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (www.boppoly.ac.nz) provides over 100 courses in 25 industry areas offering national certificates, diploma qualifications and pathways into a range of degrees. There are also career opportunities available into university qualifications in business management, computer systems, environmental management, fashion design, marine studies, social sciences and sport and recreation.

The University of Waikato (www.waikato.ac.nz) at Tauranga offers papers in areas such as the social sciences, arts, education, liberal studies and management studies. Classes are delivered by University of Waikato lecturing staff at either the University’s central city campus or utilising the considerable resources of the Polytechnic. Joint University/Polytechnic facilities include tutorial services, three libraries, an educational development centre, fully equipped computer suites, a full range of student support services, student health services, a fitness centre and student recreation areas.

The University of Waikato and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic recently strengthened their ties by designing and delivering a range of tertiary and research programmes unique to the Bay. From 2009, there will be more options for students, with seamless access to polytechnic and university degree pathway programmes. The partnership will enable students to staircase between the two institutions, right through from entry level qualifications to degrees.

There are also a wide range of private education providers in the region, offering both general and industry-specific training programmes. The Bethlehem Institute is a non-denominational Christian institution delivering educational programmes and degrees in teacher education and counselling. The region is also home to a number of internationally recognised adventure education and dive training schools as well as a college of homeopathy and programmes specialising in industry and business qualifications.