Pre-Departure Information
Documents you will need:
- Valid passport with student visa,
- letter of offer,
- receipt of payment of fees,
- personal information such as ID card,
- medical prescriptions,
- copy of medical and travel insurance,
- vaccination certificate,
- contact telephone numbers,
- some local currency.
Travel Tips: Photocopy all important documents (passports, credit cards, travel insurance) before you leave home. Leave a copy with someone at home and keep another copy with you, separate from the originals.
BANKING
New Zealand has a very modern banking system and almost everybody has a bank account. It's the safest, most convenient way to manage money.
Accessing your money. When you have opened your account you will be given an account number. With this account number you are able to make deposits (including international payments) and withdrawals immediately.
You will also be sent in the mail an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card. ATMs, also know as cashpoint machines, money machines or 'hole in the wall', allow you to withdraw money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are widely available throughout New Zealand.
SHOPPING
There are 2 convenient shopping centres near to school at Highbury (Birkenhead) and Northcote.
Both have a range of goods, restaurants, postal services, bakery, fruit shops, supermarkets, banks and fitness centres. There are other larger malls nearby at Glenfield and Takapuna.
The City Centre is also about 10-15 minutes by car or ferry. Movie Cinemas are in the city and Takapuna. Convenience Stores can be found located in most residential areas. They sell mainly food items. New Zealanders use the word ‘dairy’ to describe these shops. Most shops are open during working hours, usually 9.00am to 5.30pm, from Monday to Saturday.
Late Thursday and Friday night and Sunday shopping is also common. Some shops such as takeaway food outlets and those attached to petrol stations are also open for longer hours.
TRANSPORT
Students usually come to school by bus, by car or by walking. The best way for you to travel independently around Auckland is by bus. You will be given a student ID card which will allow bus travel at student prices and will also get cheaper entry into some places. International students are not allowed to drive while studying at Northcote College.
COMPUTER USE
At school: BYOD Bring Your Own Device
At Northcote College, all students are expected to have their own laptop or chromebook for learning at school and at home. There is free wifi available at school for all students. Recommended device specifications.
At home:
Please ask your homestay family before using the internet. Homestay arrangements do not include the use of the homestay computer or internet. If you are a person who uses the internet a lot, you may need to organise your own internet connection. There are internet cafes at the local shopping centres and computers are available at school for use during the lunchtimes.
CULTURE FATIGUE
Being in a new country is an exciting experience. There are many new learning opportunities with changes in food, language and physical surroundings. There are many new people to meet. Sometimes the feelings of excitement can change to anxiety and stress because there are so many decisions to make. Everyone experiences some degree of cultural fatigue when they arrive in a new country. The good news is that over time you will get used to the new environment and things will become easier. Bringing photographs and other small things from home to decorate your room may help ease the transition into a new culture.
WATER SAFETY
The Auckland region is surrounded by some magnificent waterways. The physical nature of our country; the length of the coastline; the accessibility to rivers and lakes; the relative affordability of visiting a community pool and the popularity of private pools – all increase the need to be ‘WaterSafe’.
Swim only at lifeguard patrolled beaches and always swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards are trained to assess the safest areas for swimming and they mark those areas with red and yellow flags. Follow the advice of safety signs. For more information on surf beaches visit www.lifesaving.org.nz
THE NEW ZEALAND TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Learning in New Zealand may be different to what you are used to in your home country. Students participate in their learning – i.e. teachers and lecturers may expect you to ask questions of them and provide ideas for discussion. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Please come to the international office if there is anything that you don’t understand or which is worrying you about school.
The national qualification in the senior school is NCEA. For more information on the NCEA and about university entrance please go to http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about/index.html.
(For more information on New Zealand education, please go to www.minedu.govt.nz)
ARRIVING IN AUCKLAND
It is wise to plan your arrival a few days before school starts. This gives you time to adjust to the new times.
Northcote College will arrange for someone to meet you at the airport. It could be your homestay family, your agent, a family friend or a Northcote College staff member. They will be waiting in the public arrival area. Please look for the card with your name on it. If you get lost please wait in the MacDonalds Restaurant area and we can find you. Do not leave the airport.
24 hour Contact: Ms Xu 027 4810013
New Zealand has strict laws regarding what you can bring into the country to screen out unwanted pests and diseases. You must not bring any animals, insects, fresh foods (including meats and fruit) and some packaged goods. If you are not sure about what you have, declare it and Customs can look at it. You can check on www.customs.govt.nz