Find your place

Cities and places of interest in New Zealand

Explore places to study and live, compare where to study in New Zealand and discover landscapes and experiences that can become part of your stay.
People beside a lake and mountains in New Zealand

Reasons to choose the country

Why New Zealand?

Education, wellbeing and an environment that encourages growth.

New Zealand combines a recognised education system, multicultural communities and a close relationship with nature.

Each city offers a different balance of programmes, budget, opportunity and lifestyle.

Explore these five areas before deciding where to begin.

Map showing the North and South Islands of New Zealand
North Island and South Island

Education system

01. Teaching methodology

Learning encourages reading, reflection, questioning and applying knowledge in real situations.

02. Education quality

Compare provider quality, accreditation and current standing through official sources.

03. Variety and flexibility

English, secondary, vocational and university programmes offer different levels, durations and timetables.

04. Teaching staff

English schools use specialist teachers and many tertiary programmes involve active industry professionals.

05. Study and work

Eligible study may include work rights, depending on the programme and current visa conditions.

06. Progressive pathways

You may improve your English first and progress to a certificate, diploma, degree or postgraduate programme.

Destinations

Compare student cities in New Zealand

Auckland, New ZealandAucklandNew Zealand’s liveliest and most multicultural city, with beaches, culture and education.Wellington, New ZealandWellingtonA compact, safe and creative capital where art, politics and innovation meet.Christchurch, New ZealandChristchurchA modern southern city with nature on its doorstep and first-class education.Nelson, New ZealandNelsonSun, art and nature in a peaceful place to live and learn.Dunedin, New ZealandDunedinA university city with soul, history and a welcoming environment.Tauranga, New ZealandTaurangaA dynamic Bay of Plenty port for those seeking sun, sea and progress.Hamilton, New ZealandHamiltonA growing university city with excellent quality of life and opportunity.Rotorua, New ZealandRotoruaA centre of Maori culture and tourism, with technical education and living traditions.Napier, New ZealandNapierA coastal city with Art Deco charm and a relaxed student atmosphere.New Plymouth, New ZealandNew PlymouthA coastal city beneath Mount Taranaki, with a waterfront walkway, public art, gardens and easy access to nature trails.Kaikōura, New ZealandKaikōuraWhere mountains meet the ocean, with marine wildlife, whale watching, coastal walks and local food experiences.Whangārei, New ZealandWhangāreiA northern port city with lush nature, vibrant cafes and nearby waterfalls.Invercargill, New ZealandInvercargillNew Zealand’s southernmost city, with historic architecture, green spaces and access to Fiordland.

Nature and culture

Places to discover

Fiordland: Milford Sound, New ZealandFiordland: Milford SoundKnown as the eighth wonder of the world, with immense cliffs, waterfalls and marine wildlife.Mount Cook National Park, New ZealandMount Cook National ParkHome to New Zealand’s highest peak, alpine landscapes, iconic tracks and pristine night skies.Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New ZealandWaitomo Glowworm CavesA limestone cave network where thousands of glowworms illuminate underground chambers explored on guided walks and boat trips.Moeraki Boulders, New ZealandMoeraki BouldersLarge spherical formations scattered along Koekohe Beach, shaped over millions of years and best revealed around low tide.Tongariro National Park, New ZealandTongariro National ParkA UNESCO World Heritage landscape of volcanoes and iconic routes.Hobbiton Movie Set, New ZealandHobbiton Movie SetThe film world of The Lord of the Rings in an idyllic setting.Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland, New ZealandWai-O-Tapu WonderlandSurreal pools, fumaroles and the Lady Knox geyser.Taranaki, New ZealandTaranakiA region shaped by Mount Taranaki, with native forest tracks, gardens, a surf coast and the cultural life of New Plymouth.Coromandel Peninsula, New ZealandCoromandel PeninsulaWhite-sand beaches, native forest, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.Lake Wanaka, New ZealandLake WanakaA beautiful glacial valley, famous for its lone tree and lakeside town.Lake Taupō, New ZealandLake TaupōNew Zealand’s largest lake, surrounded by volcanic and geothermal scenery.Shotover River, New ZealandShotover RiverA narrow-canyon river near Queenstown, known for alpine scenery, gold-mining history and activities such as jet boating and rafting.

Discover New Zealand