Country guide

Boarding Schools in New Zealand

The New Zealand Ministry of Education requires a school to be a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 before it enrols international fee-paying students. If a student does not live with their parents, the Ministry states that the school is responsible for their care at all times and must meet all Code requirements. Enrolment terms are set out in a contract between the school and the student or family.

Stone chapel on a tussock-covered hillside lit by golden evening light — Destination image. Photo: Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0

Coverage: 36 schools and 36 campuses published so far. Research is substantial for this country but not exhaustive.

Terminology: Year levels (Year 9 to Year 13).

Country notes reviewed 17 October 2026.

How boarding works in New Zealand

Pastoral care Code of Practice

As published by the Ministry of Education on 2026-10-17: a school must be a signatory to the Code of Practice 2021 to enrol international fee-paying students, and must care for students who do not live with their parents at all times. Immigration New Zealand also requires the offer of place to come from an approved provider that is a signatory to the Code. official source

Fee Paying Student Visa for children

As published by Immigration New Zealand on 2026-10-17: a student under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who lives with them, unless they live in an approved school hostel. Students in compulsory education need NZD 17,000 per year to live on unless they have a sponsor or guarantor, and insurance for the whole course. Check the official page before applying; it does not guarantee a visa. official source

Parent or guardian evidence

As published by Immigration New Zealand on 2026-10-17: a parent or legal guardian must show a legal right to care for the child and that they care for the child in their home country; grandparents generally do not meet the guardian requirements. Under-18 students who will work need written permission from the parent or guardian and the education provider. official source

Sources

Regions with schools

Schools

36 campuses from 36 schools, listed A to Z by school name. Paid placements are labelled and never change this order.

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Boarding is for

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Original currency only; no conversion. Schools without a calculable annual figure are not shown.

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Accepts international applicantsScholarships or financial assistance publishedDay places also availableReligious affiliation published

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Christ’s College
Christchurch, Canterbury
- Research checked
A boys' independent school in central Christchurch teaching Years 9-13, with three boarding houses on its heritage campus alongside dayboy houses.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Years 9–13
Annual boarding fee
NZ$59,265 per year
boarding (pattern not named). Domestic pupils. 2026. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
View profile
Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch, Canterbury
- Research checked
A state boys' school in Christchurch whose boarding hostel, Adams House, accommodates 135 boarders across three blocks.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Columba College
Dunedin, Otago
- Research checked
A state-integrated Presbyterian girls’ school on Highgate, Dunedin, with a boarding house for girls from Year 7 to Year 13 and a co-educational primary campus.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Varies by age group, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state · Faith-based · Ages taught: Years 0-13 (girls only in Years 7 to 13)
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Craighead Diocesan School
Timaru, Canterbury
- Research checked
A Special Character girls' school in Timaru for Years 7 to 13 with day and boarding places and a boarding house of two wings.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Years 7–13
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Dilworth School (Senior Campus)
Auckland
- Research checked
A boys’ school in Auckland whose students board by year-level cohort from Year 7 to Year 13; the Senior Campus in Epsom hosts Years 9 to 13.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Independent · Ages taught: Years 9 to 13 (Senior Campus)
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Diocesan School for Girls
Auckland
- Research checked
An independent girls’ school in Epsom, Auckland, from Foundation Class to Year 13, with the Innes House boarding house for Years 9 to 13.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
NCEA, IB Middle Years Programme
Independent · Ages taught: Year 7 - Year 13 (Junior High and Senior High); school from Foundation Class
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Francis Douglas Memorial College
New Plymouth, Taranaki
- Research checked
A state-integrated Catholic boys' day and boarding college in New Plymouth, Taranaki, with a boarding hostel called La Salle House.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Public / state · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Hamilton Girls’ High School
Hamilton, Waikato
- Research checked
A state girls’ secondary school in Hamilton whose hostel, Sonninghill, accommodates girls who need to board away from home.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Hereworth School
Havelock North, Hawke's Bay
- Research checked
A school in Havelock North with a 55-bed boarding facility for boys and girls in Years 5 to 8; girls’ boarding began from June 2026.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding, Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Hereworth has three options: FULL TIME, FIVE DAY and CASUAL boarding.
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Independent · Ages taught: Years 5 to 8 (boarding)
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Iona College
Havelock North, Hawke's Bay
- Research checked
A state-integrated girls’ college in Havelock North with a boarding house for girls and a day-girl roll.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
John McGlashan College
Dunedin, Otago
- Research checked
A state-integrated Christian boys’ school in Dunedin teaching Years 7-13, with an on-site boarding house taking boarders from Year 9.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Boarders are accepted from Year 9.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
IB Diploma Programme
Public / state · Faith-based · Ages taught: Year 7-13
Annual boarding fee
NZ$46,490 per year
boarding (pattern not named). International pupils. 2026. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
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King’s College
Auckland
- Research checked
A private Anglican school in Otahuhu, Auckland, with boys’ boarding houses from Year 9 and a girls’ boarding house for Years 11 to 13.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
NCEA, Cambridge International
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
NZ$77,500 per year
boarding (pattern not named). International pupils. 2027. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
View profile
Lindisfarne College
Hastings, Hawke's Bay
- Research checked
A boys’ school in Hastings with six on-site boarding houses grouped by age, taking boarders and day boys.
Boarding
Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
NZ$48,000 per year
boarding (pattern not named). International pupils. 2027. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
View profile
Napier Boys’ High School
Napier, Hawke's Bay
- Research checked
A state boys’ school in Napier whose hostel, Scinde House, accommodates around 190 boarders.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Nelson College
Nelson
- Research checked
A state boys’ school in Nelson with two historic boarding houses, Rutherford and Barnicoat, taking boarders from Year 7 to Year 13.
Boarding
Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Up to three nights per week casual boarding can be negotiated with the Director of Boarding.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state · Ages taught: Years 7 to 13 (boarding)
Annual boarding fee
NZ$38,000 per year
boarding (pattern not named). International pupils. 2027. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
View profile
New Plymouth Girls’ High School
New Plymouth, Taranaki
- Research checked
A state girls’ secondary school in New Plymouth whose Scotlands Hostel takes up to 145 boarders in Years 9 to 13.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state · Ages taught: Years 9 to 13 (boarding)
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Nga Tawa Diocesan School
Marton, Manawatū-Whanganui
- Research checked
A state-integrated day and boarding school for girls near Marton, in the Rangitikei, offering full, weekly and two-day boarding.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Students may board full-time, weekly (Monday - Friday) or for two nights a week.
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Otago Boys’ High School
Dunedin, Otago
- Research checked
A state boys’ secondary school in Dunedin whose hostel, School House, accommodates about 135 boarders.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui
- Research checked
A state boys’ school in Palmerston North whose boarding house, College House, has nine dormitories for up to 180 students.
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
College House offers quality accommodation and provides seven day boarding.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
NCEA
Public / state
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Queen Margaret College
Wellington
- Research checked
An independent girls' school in Thorndon, Wellington, with Queen Margaret House for boarders in Years 7 to 13 and a residence for Years 12 and 13.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Queen Margaret House takes boarders in Years 7 to 13; Queen Margaret Residence is for Years 12 and 13.
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile

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