Study in Wellington

Wellington is a wonderful place to live, study and experience New Zealand. As the country’s capital city, it offers all the attractions of a vibrant, cosmopolitan centre while remaining compact, welcoming and easy to explore.

Students can enjoy Wellington’s lively waterfront, cafés, museums, galleries, sporting events, festivals and cultural attractions, including Te Papa, the World of WearableArt, CubaDupa and Wellington’s internationally renowned film industry and Wētā Workshop.

One of Wellington’s greatest attractions is its natural environment. The city is built around a beautiful harbour and surrounded by bush-covered hills, beaches, walking and mountain-biking trails and spectacular coastline. This provides our students with wonderful opportunities to experience the outdoors and supports the College’s extensive Outdoor Education programme.

Rongotai College is particularly well located. Our spacious campus is just three minutes from Wellington International Airport, around ten minutes from the central city and only two minutes from Lyall Bay, one of Wellington’s most popular surf beaches. Students therefore have the advantages of a capital city close at hand, while enjoying plenty of space, fresh air and easy access to the outdoors.

For international students, Wellington offers the opportunity to experience an authentic New Zealand lifestyle while living and studying in one of the country’s most interesting and diverse cities. It is also an excellent base from which to discover the rest of New Zealand, with convenient air and ferry connections to destinations throughout the country.

Come and join us

At Rongotai College, we welcome students from a wide range of cultures, countries and learning backgrounds. International students become part of our wider College community and are encouraged to take advantage of the many academic, sporting, cultural and recreational opportunities available to them.

Whether you are joining us for a shorter New Zealand experience or completing several years of your secondary education at Rongotai College, our International Team is here to support you and help you make the most of your time with us.

We would be delighted to hear from you and welcome your enquiries.

International Team
[email protected]

Kevin Carter
Principal

We believe Rongotai College offers international students something special – an excellent education in a welcoming boys’ school, combined with the opportunity to experience life in New Zealand’s vibrant capital city.

With a spacious campus close to the city, beaches and Wellington International Airport, a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural opportunities, and a caring school community, Rongotai provides a safe, supportive and stimulating environment in which every boy is encouraged to achieve, participate and belong.

Academic Excellence and Future Pathways

Established in 1928, Rongotai College has a proud tradition of academic achievement. We set high expectations and support students to achieve their personal best. Our senior academic programmes provide strong preparation for tertiary study, with students progressing to universities and other pathways in New Zealand and around the world.

A Welcoming School Where You Belong

With a school roll of over 700 students, Rongotai is large enough to offer an impressive range of opportunities, while remaining small enough for students to be known and supported as individuals.

We intentionally maintain a limited number of international places. This means our international students are immersed in everyday school life, make friendships with New Zealand students and quickly become part of the Rongotai community.

Our dedicated International Team provides individual support and pastoral care throughout each student’s time at the College.

A Broad and Flexible Curriculum

Students can choose from a wide range of academic subjects and programmes designed to prepare them for further study and future careers.

English language support is available for students who need it, alongside opportunities such as Outdoor Education that allow international students to experience learning beyond the classroom and make the most of New Zealand’s spectacular natural environment.

Sport, Culture and the Rongotai Experience

There is much more to school life than the classroom. Rongotai offers more than 30 sports, together with music, drama, public speaking, cultural groups, leadership, clubs and community service.

International students are encouraged to get involved. Joining a team, group or activity is one of the best ways to make friends, develop confidence and enjoy the full Rongotai experience.

An Outstanding Location

Rongotai College enjoys an enviable location in New Zealand’s coastal capital. Our campus is approximately three minutes from Wellington International Airport, ten minutes from the central city and just two minutes from Lyall Bay and its popular surf beach.

Wellington offers students the best of both worlds – the culture, entertainment and opportunities of a capital city alongside beaches, harbour, bush, walking and mountain-biking trails and an abundance of outdoor activities.

From Te Papa and Wētā Workshop to major sporting events, festivals, cafés, galleries and Wellington’s famous waterfront, there is always something to discover.

Space to Learn and Grow

Our expansive 9.7-hectare campus provides students with space that is increasingly rare in a capital city school.

Rongotai College offers extensive sporting grounds and facilities, a modern sports centre, campus-wide Wi-Fi and well-equipped learning spaces, providing an excellent environment for academic, sporting and personal development.

Caring Homestay Accommodation

For students living away from home, feeling safe, comfortable and supported is especially important.

Our international students are welcomed into carefully selected homestay families who provide a friendly and caring home environment. Wherever possible, students are placed close to the College, helping them become part of both the school and their local community.

Flexible Study Options

Students can join Rongotai College for a longer period of secondary education or experience New Zealand school life through a short-term stay of between two and ten weeks.

Whatever the length of their stay, our aim is the same: for every international student to leave Rongotai College having grown academically and personally, made lasting friendships and taken home wonderful memories of his time at Rongotai, in Wellington and in New Zealand.

Come to Rongotai. Experience Wellington. Be part of our community.

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