NCEA, Cambridge or IB
State schools teach the New Zealand Curriculum and NCEA. Many also offer Cambridge International or the International Baccalaureate.
← K-12 overviewSmall classes. Big skies.
Premium service · K-12 New Zealand
Small classes. Big skies.
And you beside them.
Years 1 to 13 at state and state-integrated schools across New Zealand, with one parent living alongside on a Guardian of a Student visa. We arrange the school and the accommodation, and explain the rules honestly.
Years 1–13State and state-integrated
Guardian visaOne parent lives with the child
Pastoral careBy law, for every international student
Why New Zealand
Why families choose school in New Zealand.
Pastoral care, by law
Schools that enrol international students must follow New Zealand’s Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international learners.
Small classes, big outdoors
Personal attention in class, then beaches, mountains and sport after school.
Learning in English
Your child learns in English every day. Schools usually assess English themselves.
A route to university
NCEA University Entrance is the standard route into New Zealand universities, and is recognised abroad.
Safe and welcoming
Consistently ranked among the world’s safest, most peaceful countries.
Two journeys, one family
What your family gains in New Zealand.
From the official rules, stated plainly. Choose whose side to see.
Live with your child
One parent can hold a Guardian of a Student visa (from NZD 441) for as long as the child holds a student visa.
Keep working remotely
Immigration New Zealand says guardians may be able to work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.
Study for yourself
Study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period, or apply to vary your conditions for longer.
Part-time work, by permission
You can apply to vary your conditions for part-time work between 9:30am and 2:30pm on weekdays, while your child is at school.
Experience New Zealand first
Live the country as a family before any bigger decision about university or the future.
Care for younger children
Children under 10 must live with a parent or legal guardian (or in an approved school hostel), so this visa is made for young families.
As a parent, you can
- Live with and care for your child on a Guardian of a Student visa
- Possibly work remotely for an employer or client outside New Zealand
- Study up to 3 months in any 12, or apply to vary conditions for part-time work (9:30am–2:30pm, weekdays)
Be clear about this
- Work for a New Zealand employer without a variation of conditions
- Have both parents on the Guardian visa: only one per child
- Treat it as a residence pathway: it doesn’t lead to residence on its own
Your family planner
See how it works for your family.
Your child’s age, who travels and brothers or sisters. The year level, visas and care arrangements, instantly.
Who travels with them?
Brothers or sisters coming too
New Zealand · age 7Year 3
Your child
Fee Paying Student visa. Starts in about Year 3 (primary school). We confirm the exact year level with the school.
A parent
One parent can hold a Guardian of a Student visa for as long as the child holds a student visa. May be able to work remotely for an employer or client outside New Zealand, and can study up to 3 months in any 12. Cannot work for a New Zealand employer without a variation of conditions.
Luminous handles
School shortlist and application, homestay or family accommodation, and arrival support. Free, general guidance on the official visa checklists.
General information from Immigration New Zealand, not immigration advice. Every family is different: we check your situation in a private consultation.
Schools we can apply to
Schools across New Zealand.
State and state-integrated schools open to international students through our partners. Filter by region and your child’s age.
16 options fit
Westlake Boys High School
North Shore · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13Westlake Girls High School
North Shore · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13Northcote College
North Shore · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13Green Bay High School
West Auckland · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13Pakuranga College
East Auckland · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13Botany Downs Secondary College
East Auckland · Auckland
Years taught: 9–13St Dominic’s College
Henderson · Auckland
Years taught: 7–13Liston College
Henderson · Auckland
Years taught: 12–13Wellington College
Wellington · Wellington
Years taught: 9–13Wellington Girls’ College
Wellington · Wellington
Years taught: 9–13Wellington High School
Wellington · Wellington
Years taught: 9–13Paraparaumu College
Kāpiti Coast · Wellington
Years taught: 9–13Bethlehem College
Tauranga · Bay of Plenty
Years taught: 1–13Tauranga Boys’ College
Tauranga · Bay of Plenty
Years taught: 9–13Tauranga Girls’ College
Tauranga · Bay of Plenty
Years taught: 9–13Ellesmere College
Leeston · Canterbury
Years taught: 7–13The school year
When your child can start.
Term 1
28 Jan–4 Feb start (each school chooses) to Fri 9 April 2027.
Schools usually accept international students at the start of any term. Term 1 is the most popular. These are the official 2027 dates for state and state-integrated schools (New Zealand Gazette). Apply 4–6 months ahead.
Costs and funds
What you’ll need to show, and what you’ll pay.
Official government fees, and the funds calculation Immigration New Zealand uses. Tuition goes directly to the school.
Children studying
Typical range NZD 15,000–30,000. Your school’s exact fee is in its offer.
A parent on the Guardian visa
Funds to show for the first yearNZD 51,500
Tuition plus Immigration New Zealand’s living-cost amount for school students. A guardian needs NZD 1,000 a month, or NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid. An estimate to plan with, not a quote.
Fee Paying Student visafrom NZD 85080% decided within 8 weeks
Guardian of a Student visafrom NZD 44180% decided within 7 weeks
Guardian’s fundsNZD 1,000 / monthor NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid
School tuitionNZD 15k–30ka year, typical; paid to the school
School administration feeNZD 1k–2koften, billed with tuition
InsuranceCompulsoryapproved medical and travel insurance
Picture it
A day in your new life in New Zealand.
8:00
Walking to school
A sunny walk through the neighbourhood. Classes are small and teachers know your child by name.
Admission and visa checklist
Tick off what you already have.
The general documents most families need. Your ticks stay on this device. General requirements from Immigration New Zealand, checked 25 Sep 2026.
0%ready
School admission
Fee Paying Student visa
Accompanying parent
Clients only
Your customised checklist
Become a clientOnce you’re a Luminous client, we give you a checklist matched to your child’s school, region, age and your family’s plan, with every document, deadline and who provides it.
White-glove service
Six steps. We handle every one.
- 01Private consultation
Your child’s age, grades, personality and your family’s plans, in confidence.
- 02A curated shortlist
Three schools or boards that fit, with honest pros and cons.
- 03The application
Prepared and submitted for you, including the school’s own application fee.
- 04Care arrangements
Custodian or caregiver, and homestay, arranged and vetted with the school.
- 05Visa checklists
Free, general guidance on the official checklists for your child and for you.
- 06Arrival and settling in
Airport pickup, housing, registration and orientation, after the visas are issued.
Paid in three stages
Each stage is paid only when your family reaches it.
STAGE 1
School application
US$449
When: When you choose a school, before we apply- The school’s own application fee, if it charges one (most state schools don’t; private schools up to about NZD 350)
- A shortlist of 3 schools, the application prepared and submitted
- Transcripts, reports and school English assessment arranged
If the school’s application fee is higher than we assume, the total rises by the difference. We confirm the exact amount before you pay.
STAGE 2
Custodian & school arrangement
US$350
When: Once the custodian is arranged, after the school accepts your child- Guardian or designated-caregiver arrangements agreed with the school
- Homestay or family accommodation search
- Documents the school needs before the first day
The custodian’s own fees are separate — they are set and managed by the custodian and the school, and you pay them directly.
STAGE 3When: Once your family’s visas are issued, before travel
After-visa arrival & settlement
Contact us
Ask on WhatsApp- Pre-departure briefing for every family member travelling
- Airport pickup and help finding family housing
- Phone, bank account, transport and local registration
- School registration day and orientation
- An adviser you keep for the first school year
Contact us for this stage — our director will discuss your family’s needs and quote it personally. This covers arrival and settlement services only — it is not a fee for visa work. We give free, general guidance on the official visa checklists and do not prepare or submit visa applications.
You pay each stage only when you reach it. Stages 1 and 2: US$799. Stage 3 is quoted personally — contact us. School tuition, custodian and other third-party fees are paid directly to those providers.From US$799
Prices are in US dollars. Students and families in Bangladesh: message us on WhatsApp for your price and how to pay.
Private consultation
Tell us about your child.
An adviser replies on WhatsApp within one working day. We only ask for your child’s age, never their name.
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Sources, checked 26 September 2026: INZ: Fee Paying Student Visa · INZ: Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa · INZ: Student fund requirements · New Zealand Gazette: 2027 school term dates. General information, not immigration advice. Rules change, so always check the official website before applying. We give free, general guidance on the official checklists; we do not prepare or submit visa applications.