The Western Bay, home of the city of Tauranga, is in the enviable position of being the fastest growing area in New Zealand. The Western Bay of Plenty is also one of New Zealand’s most sought after locations in which to teach, resulting in teachers of a very high calibre and excellent local facilities.
Excellent education facilities and a superb recreational lifestyle ensure the International Student sector is served well. Ask New Zealanders where they would most like to live and they’ll tell you Tauranga. And it shows, with over 100 people moving to the region every week. The region’s economic growth is also high, topping the country for the last two years. Tauranga will soon be New Zealand’s fourth largest city.
The region has 25 primary, four intermediate and eight secondary schools. The region's secondary schools are all active partners in the regional INSTEP programme, bringing students and many of the region's enterprising businesses together through structured business/work- based learning initiatives providing valuable pathways for domestic and International Students.
Tertiary and private training establishments are of the highest standard in the country with courses approved by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) through its national qualifications framework. A number of training institutions also provide NZQA approved programmes through practical skills-based courses. At the Tertiary level there’s the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato at Tauranga which offer a wide range of study options. Like the city, these tertiary providers are continuing to expand to keep pace with population growth.
