Tairawhiti Polytechnic

The Tairawhiti Polytechnic is a New Zealand Government tertiary institution offering New Zealand Qualification Authority-approved courses to both local and international students.

The Tairawhiti Polytechnic is a safe environment located in the centre of Gisborne City on the warm east coast of the North Island.

The International Marketing Division has been operating since 1990, and at the beginning of 2004 there were 120 international students on campus out of a total of 1800 full-time and 3500 part-time students.

The Gisborne Region is noted for its quiet safe environment, and because the Polytechnic is located in the centre of the city, all students are able to cycle or walkfrom their homestays to the Polytechnic in no more than 10 to 20 minutes. The class sizes are small, which means that the friendly supportive tutors are able to devote adequate time to ensuring that the needs of individual students are met.

International students come to Gisborne for a variety of reasons: English language classes that offer the opportunity for students to graduate into mainstream/academic courses without having to sit TOEFL or IELTS tests. Students have to achieve a level of English that is set by the Head of English. Mainstream classes are small with personalised student support services. Overseas students are given a FREE 10-speed bicycle and helmet for use while studying. There is also FREE entry into part-time classes and FREE access to Internet and email. Students always comment on the environment of Gisborne: the small beautiful city with no traffic jams as well as the opportunity to receive quality education that is not too expensive. Students interested in golf enjoy having the main golf courses 10 minutes from the Polytechnic with $30 green fees.

If you enjoy outdoor living - beautiful surfing beaches and a small uncrowded environment - then the Tairawhiti Polytechnic Gisborne is the place for you.

Levels of Tuition: From Elementary to Advanced
Exam Preparation Courses: TOEFL, IELTS
Airport Pickup: $360 including air travel one way, Auckland-Gisborne, met at Auckland and Gisborne
Accommodation: Homestay $150 pw incl food, Share apartment $70-$100 pw (plus food), Flat $100 pw (plus expenses), Hostel $100 pw (plus food/laundry).