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Schools in New Zealand:
1. Auckland Grammar School
As an international student, you will find a welcoming and engaging school community. Students tell us ‘it is easy to fit in’ and ‘make new friends’ at Auckland Grammar School.
Many friendships are created through active participation extra-curricular clubs and shared interests, and Auckland Grammar offers more than 100+ clubs including sports, arts, music, leadership, technology and culture to facilitate a positive school community.
Auckland Grammar has a proud 152-year history and is renowned worldwide for excellence in boys education and its focus on developing well-rounded young men. The International Department supports the unique needs of international students, assisting them to access a wide range of opportunities at Grammar while also managing their residential living care.
2. Epsom Girls Grammar School
Kia ora and welcome to Epsom Girls Grammar School, a place that has been challenging and supporting young women since 1917. The school has a proud history of nurturing leaders across a wide range of fields. Achievement is highly valued, encompassing academic, sporting, cultural, leadership, and service activities. The school takes pride in its students’ outstanding results, both locally and internationally, across all these areas.
Positive and supportive relationships between students and teachers are prioritized as the foundation for effective learning. Students are encouraged to become confident, active participants in their education, fully engaging with the opportunities provided by the school. Access to personal full-operating-system devices enables students to develop both collaborative and independent learning skills. The school also emphasizes the importance of digital citizenship, integrating a blended learning approach that combines traditional books with digital tools to enrich the educational experience.
The school, while large, is dedicated to treating every student as an individual. It strives to create an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging and confidence within the school community. Emphasis is placed on recognizing and addressing each student’s unique learning and pastoral needs.
3. Mt Albert Grammar School
Mount Albert Grammar School is a state, co-educational secondary school located in central suburban Auckland.
Established in 1922, Mount Albert Grammar has built a strong academic tradition. Its NCEA results consistently rank among the best, and its elite academic students’ success in obtaining Scholarships places the school among the top six in New Zealand.
With a current roll of approximately 3,000 students, the majority come from within the school’s zone, while a small number are accepted through a ballot process. However, due to increasing demand for places within the zone, the availability of ballot spaces diminishes each year. The student population has an almost equal ratio of boys to girls.
The school is also regarded as one of the leading sporting schools in the country, with a history of numerous Auckland and New Zealand Championship titles. A wide range of sports is offered at all levels, from social to premier grades, for both boys and girls. Participation in at least one sport is strongly encouraged, not only for the physical benefits but also for the social and character-building opportunities it provides.
At Mount Albert Grammar, sport is considered integral to developing well-rounded individuals who strive for excellence in all areas and contribute positively to the community. This strong sporting culture is seen as complementary to the school’s academic achievements.
4. Green Bay High School
Green Bay High School has been serving its community for over 45 years, establishing itself as a leader in educational innovation and producing numerous successful graduates. The school places a strong emphasis on fostering independent, confident global citizens.
International students from around the world are warmly welcomed and appreciated for the diversity of ideas and cultures they bring to the school and its community. Their interaction with local students and host families helps foster intercultural communication, break down stereotypes, and build mutual understanding.
Green Bay High School prioritizes understanding each student’s individual needs, providing personalized attention to help them achieve their academic and personal goals. Feedback from students and parents consistently highlights satisfaction with the supportive and tailored approach to education.
Situated just a 25-minute drive from downtown Auckland and adjacent to the Waitakere Ranges, the school offers the best of both urban and natural surroundings. The local community is art-focused, featuring galleries, theatres, and dance schools, all easily accessible to students. A weekend market showcases local artisanal products, while a shopping mall, a 20-minute walk away, provides train access to the city.
Colleges in New Zealand:
5. Rangitoto College
This world-class institution is the largest school in New Zealand with over 3200 students and is perhaps the most internationally acclaimed New Zealand school.
Rangitoto’s success is the result of expert teaching in a wide range of academic subjects and an extensive extra-curricular programme including music, dance, drama and over 40 different sports. The facilities, passionate staff and culture of excellence inspire students to become the best they can be.
Rangitoto has a focus on diversity and has around 50 different nationalities in the school. Some international students stay for a short time, aiming to understand a new culture, improve their English and have an overseas experience.
Rangitoto College is the largest provider of students to Auckland University and our qualifications make it possible for our students who complete their secondary education here to be accepted into some of the world’s best universities, including Cambridge and Oxford in the UK, and Princeton in the USA.
6. St Mary’s College
We invite you to consider the many benefits of Catholic education in the Mercy tradition. St Mary’s College is a Catholic Integrated school for girls, offering education to students from Intermediate to Secondary, Years 7 to 13 (age 11 to 18, approximately).
St Mary’s College offers a wonderful environment for your daughter to learn, grow and realise her potential. The College provides a high quality academic education with extensive co-curricular opportunities, and aims to instil in young women a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence.
St Mary’s College has enjoyed a long tradition of academic excellence, with graduates moving on to further their studies across a wide variety of disciplines.
St Mary’s College stands high on College Hill, surrounded by the leafy suburb of St Mary’s Bay. Its 160-year heritage is reflected in its magnificent buildings, including the original St Mary’s Chapel which stands in the grounds of the College and is in regular use by the students
The College offers extensive modern facilities including computer suites, a gymnasium, well-equipped science laboratories, a swimming pool, music suites, a music performance hall, tennis, netball and basketball courts, as well as a state-of-the-art library and technology block.
7. Macleans College
Macleans College is renowned as a world-class school, recognized for its students’ outstanding achievements and the values and attributes that equip them for successful futures beyond their school years.
A distinctive feature of Macleans College is the Whānau house system, which fosters a supportive and welcoming environment for every student, promoting personal growth and a strong sense of belonging.
The teaching and support staff at Macleans College are highly skilled professionals dedicated to the all-round development and well-being of students, reflecting the school’s commitment to excellence in education and care.
The school offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities, catering to students at all levels—from social participation to elite programs—ensuring opportunities for diverse interests and talents.
8. Botany Downs Secondary College
The school is a public, coeducational high school with a student population of 1,900, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years. It also welcomes 150 international students from 20 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
While offering outstanding opportunities across all subject areas, the school’s strengths lie in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and the Arts.
Located in Botany Downs, a suburb approximately 40 minutes from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, the school benefits from its position in a relatively new and affluent area developed primarily in the early 2000s. Known for its innovation, high-quality education, and strong commitment to individual student support, the school has established an excellent reputation.
9. King’s College
King’s College, an independent secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand, is dedicated to delivering an exceptional all-round education. Graduates of King’s College are well-prepared for success in life, often reflecting on their time at the College with deep appreciation for the opportunities it provided.
Renowned for offering outstanding educational opportunities for young men and women, King’s College has a strong tradition of academic excellence. The school is committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Its vision and values emphasize each student’s personal growth and development.
The House system is a cornerstone of pastoral care at King’s, offering a strong sense of belonging and support for both boarding and day students. The wellbeing of every student is a top priority, supported by the Chapel, which serves as the physical and emotional center of the College. This value-driven culture encourages students to develop essential life skills and experiences, laying the foundation for their future success.
The College operates with a clear teaching and learning philosophy, fostering a community that values innovation, creativity, and advanced learning strategies. It aims to provide a holistic education, nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of every student. Alongside its intellectual and academic rigor, King’s College promotes excellence in sports, arts, and culture.
10. Sancta Maria College
Sancta Maria College provides a distinctive learning experience, aiming to offer each international student a personalized education that fosters holistic development and helps them reach their full potential in all aspects of school life.
International students benefit from exceptional pastoral care, provided by a dedicated team of caring educational professionals. This team closely monitors each student’s academic progress, career pathways, and overall well-being, ensuring comprehensive support throughout their journey.
As a school founded on the principles of its Special Catholic Character, Sancta Maria College excels in academics, sports, service, and leadership. The school takes pride in its inclusive, family-oriented culture and celebrates the many successes and achievements that reflect its commitment to holistic education.
Colleges in New Zealand:
11. The University of Auckland
Sitting in the heart of New Zealand’s biggest city, the University of Auckland puts you close to tech companies, start-ups, hospitals, law firms, and creative studios. That means more guest speakers, site visits, and part-time opportunities while you study. The city campus is lively and walkable, with libraries, cafés, gyms, and study hubs everywhere.
You can mix and match interests across business, engineering, health, arts, law, design, and data—great if you want a flexible path. Many courses use real client briefs, so you’ll graduate with portfolio pieces instead of just theory.
International students get plenty of support, including orientation, academic workshops, peer mentoring, and career coaching. If you want a big-city student life with strong links to employers, this is the safest bet in New Zealand.
12. University of Otago
International students choose Otago for its classic student-town feel. Dunedin is compact and affordable, so you spend less time commuting and more time building friends, joining clubs, or exploring the coast. Campus services help you settle quickly—health care, counselling, study skills, and visa-friendly advice are easy to access.
Otago is respected for health and life sciences, plus strong options in business, humanities, and science. In your first year, you’ll see labs, fieldwork, and research opportunities that turn theory into practice.
Careers teams run workshops on local resume formats, networking, and internships, and alumni often return to mentor students. If you want tight community support, practical learning, and lower living costs, Otago offers a welcoming start to life in New Zealand.
13. Massey University
Massey’s Albany campus on Auckland’s North Shore gives international students the best of both worlds—modern facilities and beaches nearby, with quick access to business parks and creative tech companies. It’s ideal if you want city opportunities without the city rush.
The university is known for design, business, food technology, veterinary and animal sciences, aviation, and creative media. Studios and labs are central to learning, so you’ll graduate with real project work for your portfolio.
International student advisors, wellbeing support, and career coaches help you navigate study loads, part-time work rules, and internship searches. With trimester breaks that line up well with employer needs, many students secure paid experience before graduating.
14. Victoria University of Wellington
Studying in the capital places you beside Parliament, ministries, embassies, start-ups, museums, and film studios. This is perfect for policy, law, communications, environmental studies, design, and data. International students benefit from frequent guest lectures, site visits, and live projects that translate directly to your resumes.
The city is compact and walkable, with a creative culture and quick public transport, making it easy to manage classes, part-time work, and downtime.
VUW’s Careers and Employment team runs job-search workshops tailored to international students, plus mentoring and internship links across public and private sectors. If you’re aiming for a globally relevant degree with real exposure to government and industry, Wellington is a wise and career-focused choice.
If you’re interested in applying for any of these institutions in New Zealand, don’t hesitate to contact Selset Education Centre! Our services are free for all Malaysian students. Click the button below to enquire now!