Questions and Answers for Studying in Hawke’s Bay

What education options are available in Hawke’s Bay?

In Hawke’s Bay we provide a whole range of education opportunities from primary/intermediate school to tertiary. Our schools include co-ed (boys and girls studying together) or single-sex (boys’ only and girls’ only) schools, and boarding or day schools. Almost all our schools are public-funded. Some schools have special characters, catering for students’ special interest in sports or arts, and some have a religious background. Our tertiary institution Eastern Institute of Technology provides tertiary qualifications from Diploma to Master’s. For more information, please visit our website: https://learninghawkesbay.nz/schools/.

What are options for tertiary education in Hawke’s Bay?

The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) is our only public tertiary institution in Hawke’s Bay. Please visit : https://www.eit.ac.nz/campus/international-students/< or download a copy of International Prospectus https://www.eit.ac.nz/campus/international-students/international-prospectuses/.

The Prospectus covers all information that students need, i.e. entry requirements, fees, student support, and accommodation etc.

What are options for schooling in Hawke’s Bay?

Our schools include co-ed (boys and girls studying together) or single-sex (boys only or girls only) schools, and boarding or day schools. Almost all our schools are public-funded. Some have special characters, catering for students’ special interest in sports or arts. Some have a religious background. Some schools are in urban areas such as Napier and Hastings, and some are in rural areas: Central Hawke’s Bay and Dannevirke. They all have spacious campuses, modern facilities including fibre internet, workshops, laboratories, indoor and outdoor sport areas and most importantly, excellent teachers and comprehensive support for international students. Our schools have relatively small roll counts and a low concentration of international students, which enables students to have a genuine New Zealand experience.

How much does it cost to study in Hawke’s Bay?

Costs vary from school to school and for different tertiary programmes. On average, our primary/intermediate schools cost about $25,000 – $30,000 per annum. Our secondary schools cost about $28,000 – $50,000 per annum. These annual costs include about $230-$300 per week homestay/school hostels fees (including meals).

For tertiary education, please visit : https://www.eit.ac.nz/campus/international-students/ or download a copy of International Prospectus https://www.eit.ac.nz/campus/international-students/international-prospectuses/. The Prospectus covers all information that students need, i.e. entry requirements, fee, student support, and accommodation etc.

What is the region like, in terms environment, climate and food?

Hawke’s Bay has a beautiful landscape, including mountains, rivers, ocean and forests. Its Mediterranean-style climate means long, fine summers with daily temperatures between 15 – 32 ^oC and short, mild winters with daily temperatures between 8-15 ^oC. Summer usually starts from the beginning of November and ends by the end of March (5 months). Winter usually starts from the beginning of June and finishes by the end of August (3 months). Our sunshine hours are amongst the highest in New Zealand.

We have beautiful springs with lots of beautiful blossoms, thanks to the many orchards in the region, and fruitful autumns with amazing colours and abundant supply of locally grown pip and stone fruits (eg plums, apricots, apples, peaches, oranges, and grapes). Hawke’s Bay is a world-renowned wine country with world-class vineyards and is known as the “fruit bowl” of New Zealand. There are also endless supplies of fresh local seafood.

What can we do in Hawke’s Bay for entertainment?

The pleasant weather and beautiful environment enable people to be active outdoors all year round, doing a wide range of fun activities from tramping, cycling, sailing, horse-riding, golfing, to para-gliding, just to name a few.

There is never a dull moment in Hawke’s Bay. You can explore by car, on foot, or on bike around ‘The Bay’ on one of the 200km of off-road pathways; light up a barbeque and play a game on one of our beautiful beaches; hike in the mountains with stunning views; taste delicious wines and gourmet food in our vineyards; visit our heritage villages and learn about indigenous Māori culture; or attend shows and festivals – visitors travel from all over the world to attend our annual International Horse of the Year show and Napier’s famous Art Deco Festival. Hawke’s Bay is an attractive tourist destination.

What are people in Hawke’s Bay like?

Hawke’s Bay people are friendly and welcoming to migrants and international students, embracing cultural diversity. We have a diverse population including 75% European/Pākehā, 27% Māori, 5.6% Pacifica peoples, and 5% Asian, according to the 2018 census. Hawke’s Bay people are community- oriented and are keen to look after each other and support local communities including visitors. A lot of people are involved in charitable and volunteering work to support people in need and protect our natural environment and animals.

Is it safe to live in Hawke’s Bay?

The two main cities of Hastings and Napier have International Safe Communities Accreditation. Hawke’s Bay people are community-minded and are keen to look after each other and support local communities including visitors. We have zero community cases of Covid-19 and our vaccination rate is amongst the highest in the country.

In general, New Zealand is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. It is also the least corrupt country according to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.