NEW ZEALAND
HOME TO KIND FOLKS, FLAT WHITES AND GREEN SCHOOL NEW ZEALAND
Journey To Green School New Zealand
New Zealand, the third most temperate climate in the world, is an amazing playground to our families who join us for a unique learning experience combined with a family adventure. It is possibly similar to where you are from, while also being extraordinarily diverse, uniquely beautiful, and incredibly welcoming.
Our Taranaki region has a stunning coastline, and is dominated by a huge, singular, volcanic mountain (you may have seen it in the movie The Last Samurai) that inspires awe while reminding us of our place within nature. We are blessed with stunning natural vistas, rugged backcountry and fauna distinctive to Aotearoa.
Our community weaves aroha/ love around our new families/whānau/ We welcome all learners into a strong academic and experiential setting that integrates nature and wellbeing into our co-constructed learning experiences and explorations. Our innovative curriculum is integrated with local and international learning and perspectives. We support each learner in the transition to GSNZ by linking with their learning levels and fostering the skills and concepts for their future success.
Our hope is that they will view the world differently and appreciate the fragile beauty and diversity of our planet, and challenge what we know and do to “Thrive with Purpose”.
Caroline Rennie, Head of School
Travel
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New Zealand enjoys welcoming visitors and this is clear by the straightforward visa application process. The process is very simple and completely online.
Students and their families coming from outside New Zealand will need to comply with New Zealand immigration and visa requirements and if a parent wants to work in New Zealand for a New Zealand company they will need to apply for a work visa.
Please speak to our team here, about our unique International Family Visa option that we have available.
Below are some further links to help guide the visa journey.
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You may apply for your visa independently or use the services of a qualified Immigration Advisor. Green School has New Zealand based immigration advisors that they can put you in touch with if you require advice or guidance.
All qualified Immigration Advisors in NZ must be registered and comply with the IAA, Immigration Advisor Authority.
Immigration Advisors that have assisted our international families.
Fabien Maisonneuve - New Zealand Shores fabien@newzealandshores.com - (+64) 7 929 2280
Caroline Peri - Caroline Peri caroline@carolineperi.nz - (+64) 277 340 245
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Below is a link to learn the latest on Covid updates in New Zealand.
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New Zealand nature is unique and protected well with strict biosecurity laws. Due to this it is vital to leave any fruit, vegetable, plant or animal items back at home, or declare that you have these with you to avoid a fine. Before departing, you should clean all sports and hiking equipment, shoes, and clothing as this is another question you will be asked on arrival.
Below are some links to help you prior to your arrival into New Zealand.
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Below are some links to help you navigate your arrival in New Zealand at the Airport.
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Below are some links to help navigate transport at the NZ Airport.
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Below are some links to help you navigate money exchange in NZ.
Logistics
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The New Zealand rental market is varied, with a range of pricing for the many different types of housing available. With views from Mt Taranaki to the sea, New Zealand accommodation is often found in the most stunning locations. From conveniently close to main centres and cities to tranquil oases that make the most of the New Zealand landscapes and native forests. The choice is yours.
You will find more homes than apartment style properties within New Zealand. You can find rental properties by contacting landlords directly or you can go through a letting agent, for example a real estate agent. Letting agents act as agents for landlords when granting or assigning a tenancy.
You can also check popular websites like TradeMe Property, Realestate.co.nz. These websites are populated with rental properties available. Having a look on these websites will also give you an overview of the types of properties available nearby Green School and of rent cost in these areas. There is always a high demand for good places across New Zealand, so it is recommended to make contact quickly if a property catches your eye.
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Green School New Zealand does not provide boarding for students.
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Police Emergency dial 111
Police non-emergency dial 105
Fire Emergency dial 111
Ōakura Volunteer Fire Brigade dial 06 752 7725
Medical Emergency dial 111
Medical Advice Healthline dial 0800 611 116
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If you wish to sign up for a doctor once you arrive in New Zealand please find a nearby practice, check their availability and sign up. If you have a Fee-paying Student Visa, when you apply you must agree that you will get health insurance as a requirement.
Taranaki has urgent care at emergency clinics such as Medicross, Carefirst, and the Taranaki Base Hospital accident and emergency. Medicross and Taranaki Base Hospital A&E allow walk-ins for urgent medical care. There is also a Medical Center with practising General Practitioners and nurses nearby GSNZ at Ōakura Medical Center for those living in the area.
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New Zealand has one of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world to help protect the local economy, environment, human health and a range of social and cultural values, preventing and managing risks from harmful organisms. This results in animals coming into New Zealand requiring certification and inspection, and also possibly quarantine.
The process can be costly, and flights can be long, however, we understand that in some families, pets are just as much a part of the family as anyone else. We recommend that you consider very seriously how your pet will respond to the flight and quarantine process when moving to New Zealand.
If you do wish to bring your pet or pets with you on the journey, it must be a cat or a dog. New Zealand does not allow other animals into the country unless you are coming from Australia. For more detailed information on the import rules and requirements for New Zealand, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website here, however, this will not cover your origin countries’ export processes.
Cats and dogs coming from Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore will not require quarantine on arrival. In this case the animals will require certification and will be inspected for ticks on arrival.
Please take time to research which airlines are allowed to import pets into the country as only a few are licensed to. Air New Zealand is a popular choice. Whichever country you are arriving from, you and your pet will likely enter New Zealand via Auckland Airport even if your quarantine facility and final destination is located elsewhere in New Zealand.
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The roads in New Zealand are long and taxi/shuttle services can get very expensive here due to this. New Zealand does have buses available to travel around the country, however, these are not as frequent as other countries and provide limited timing and route options.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a car to use during your time in New Zealand. Buying your own car gives you the chance to travel your way within New Zealand, with maximum flexibility.
The most common approach to purchasing a car in New Zealand is looking on websites such as Trademe, and secondhand car dealerships such as Turners. New arrivals in New Zealand say that second hand cars are cheaper here than in other countries. If you are looking for a brand new car, there are plenty of car dealerships located around major cities and you can usually browse their selection on their website or by simply walking into the dealership.
Be sure to apply for a transfer of ownership at your local post office or AA Center if you are buying a second hand car. The old owner and new owner both must sign this document.
Your car needs to hold a valid registration and a warrant of fitness at all times. The registration can be for 1, 3, 6, 12 months and can be applied for and purchased at any New Zealand post office. The warrant of fitness (WOF) certifies that the car is technically fit to drive on New Zealand roads and must be renewed every 6 months. These are important to keep on top of to ensure you do not receive a fine.
We currently have a school van transporting students from Bell Block, on the other side of New Plymouth, just under 30 minutes drive from the school. This is pay by term and you will receive an invitation at the beginning of the school year if you wish to use this service. There is currently no school van around the township of Ōakura.
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If you meet the criteria you can drive on a foreign driver's licence in New Zealand up to 12 months from the date you arrive in the country. After this point you must have converted your foreign licence to a New Zealand licence to legally drive in New Zealand.
If you have never driven in New Zealand, you need to learn the New Zealand road rules before getting behind the wheel of a car once you are here. There may be significant differences to driving in your home country. We recommend you watch the Waka Kothai (NZ Transport Agency) video Driving in New Zealand or download a copy of their booklet of the same name (available in several languages). If you plan to be here for a while - take a Defensive Driving Course to strengthen your driving skills and knowledge of the New Zealand road rules.
Tip: If you are used to driving on the right hand side of the road, when you pick up your car, test drive around the carpark a few times to get used to driving on the left hand side of the road as is per law on New Zealand roads.
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As in most countries, to connect to the local cellular network, and be able to make calls, send text messages and access mobile internet, you will need a local SIM card for your mobile phone.
There are many network providers in New Zealand, however, there are four main ones - Spark, Skinny, One, and 2degrees. These providers offer a range of different plans for different levels of usage from prepaid to on a monthly plan. Take some time to research these providers and plans and choose what works for you.
There is little difference between cell phone network providers, especially for those living in the city, however, coverage can vary in rural and remote areas such as the smaller towns around Taranaki, like Ōakura.
New arrivals to New Zealand often say texting is cheap here, however, calling and mobile data can get expensive. We recommend having a data heavy mobile plan, especially when you are new to New Zealand. Wifi can be hard to come by here and having internet access will help you to get around and learn the roads through Google Maps guides. A pack with unlimited data would be the best option.
Life & Culture
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Māori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Arriving here from the Polynesian homeland of Kawaiki over 1,000 years ago. New Zealand honours and respects Māori culture and traditions during times of learning and celebration. You will experience Māori culture during your time in New Zealand and at Green School NZ.
More on Māori culture here.
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World-famous for its friendly people, spectacular landscape and relaxed lifestyle, New Zealand is an unbeatable place to live and study. Here you will find information on Aotearoa, New Zealand, studying and living here and about Māori Culture, an integral part of life in New Zealand.
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Taranaki is proud to lead the drive towards a prosperous and sustainable future with fresh thinking and an innovative spirit, making it the perfect region for the Green School New Zealand to call home. All of our Green School students and their families will live near the school campus, in Taranaki New Zealand.
Known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, a big draw card of the region is the varied landscape, allowing for surf, sand, and sea alongside mountain hikes and treks. The wild Taranaki coastline is home to more than 12 world-class surf breaks, a popular destination for surfers. With a variety of beaches along the coast, you could be swimming in the Tasman sea at sunrise and at the Mt Taranaki summit by sunset.
Perfect for outdoor adventurers, Taranaki has many activities on offer such as dam dropping, mountain biking, beautiful hikes through native forests, river rafting and more.
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A city where you and the family can go to the movie theatre, shop at the many unique stores Center City has to offer, experience art galleries and picturesque parks, and attend world renowned events and concerts such as WOMAD, and TSB Festival of Lights.
With shopping just steps away from the New Plymouth coastal walkway and the Tasman sea, you could shop in Center City for the day and then take a relaxing walk down the coastal walkway after enjoying a coffee at one of the many nearby cafes and eateries.
Suburbs within New Plymouth are a popular choice for families attending Green School, as this is the nearest city to the school, but also as a result of the widely available after school activities to cater to different interests such as sports, surf, athletics, dance, drama, music and even archery to name a few.
New Plymouth wins global award for the Most Liveable City
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Just 15 kilometres south west of New Plymouth city, a 15 minute scenic drive, nestled in one of the most desirable coastal communities, the township of Ōakura is where Green School New Zealand is located. Situated on a magical rural site along Koru Road, Green School is protected by the Kaitake Ranges, next to the beautiful Ōakura River, sitting in between Mt Taranaki and the Tasman sea.
The township is home to a blend of million-dollar beach houses and charming holiday homes (or baches, as we call them in New Zealand) make for a relaxed seaside village vibe that Ōakura is known for. A lot of these homes are populated with talented local artists and craftspeople. You will find a dedicated creative community, outstanding restaurants and cafes, and some of the most family-friendly beaches, ideal for beginner surfers in Ōakura. During your time here, engage with this creative community by visiting some of the established open studios and art spaces in and around Ōakura, of which the majority can be found here.
In summer, Ōakura can be a hotspot for travellers and tourists looking for that stress free beach getaway. Local favourite bar and music venue, Butlers Reef often hosts well known acts from not only across New Zealand but the globe to entertain the crowds. Ōakura has a local Junior sports club to get the children involved in, be sure to check out and get in touch with Sporty | Ōakura Sports if interested. Ōakura’s local rugby club is Kaitake Rugby Club. Extra reading: Ōakura and Ōakura Overview
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Below are links to some of the activities a family can experience in New Plymouth.
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Below are some of the local clubs for children to attend.
