Kerikeri High School, Kerikeri (Age 13 - 18)
Kerikeri High School has high standards and a proven track record of academic achievement but what makes them unique is the Kerikeri environment, the Sailing Academy and Theatre Arts Academy. Kerikeri is a vibrant, bustling town of about 10,000 people located in the beautiful Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand approximately 45 minutes by plane or 3 hours by car north of Auckland. Originally home to Maori villages, Kerikeri was one of the first places settled by European missionaries in the early 1800s. Kemp House and The Stone Store are the oldest buildings of their kind in New Zealand.
The warm sub-tropical climate is ideal for fruit growing and there is a long established horticultural industry based on successful citrus and kiwifruit production. World-class sailing, fishing, and diving are available in the Bay of Islands. Kerikeri has a unique lifestyle with numerous cafes, boutique shops, artists, and galleries. Kerikeri is in the sub-tropical north of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands. The Bay itself comprises some 144 islands and is a marine sport paradise offering: sailing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, surfing, kite boarding and swimming.
Kerikeri High School is a full secondary school offering a wide range of subjects. The award-winning Sailing Academy (Education New Zealand Excellence in Education Award: Innovation 2007) and the new Theatre Arts Academy offer International and domestic students the opportunities to excel in these areas. Students can enrol for five or six academic subjects as well as one of the Academies.
The Academy courses are one or two semesters commencing February or July each year. There are many opportunities to join sports and cultural clubs and activities and to integrate fully with the domestic students. Students can do a scuba course in term one of Year 13 Physical Education. Golf, tennis are a few of the many sporting choices for our students. The school is well-known for its Art subjects: Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Design, Art History and Printmaking. Kerikeri High School is the current winner of the "Excellence in Hospitality" award from the National Culinary Fair.
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More information on the Kerikeri High School Sailing Academy
Study at Kerikeri High School
Year 7 + 8: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, Maori, Art, Life Technology, Technology, Music. All subjects are compulsory.
Years 9 and 10: Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education. Options: Art, Design & Visual Communication, Drama, Economics, Enterprise, Food Studies, History, Information Technology in Computing, Japanese, Maori, Music, Spanish, Technology. Year 9 students take 3 options, Year 10 students take 2.
Year 11: All students study English and Mathematics plus four additional subjects, including at least one Science subject and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).
Year 12: All students study English, plus five additional subjects including ESOL.
Year 13: Students choose five subjects including ESOL.
Sailing Academy
Kerikeri High School has established a strong sailing reputation in recent years winning several national and international titles. Former students have gone on to compete in major world ocean races, The Americas Cup and The Olympics. In a half or one year course, students are given a well rounded mix of theory and practical sailing skills leading to internationally recognised qualifications. The Academy is run by three tutors with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Sailing Academy – Requirements: Students must have good English and basic boat handling skills - they must be able to skipper a dinghy.
International Mountain Bike Academy
The Mountin Bike Course:-The course sessions run on Thursdays from 11.15 am – 3.15 pm thus enabling students to do both MTB and other Academic courses on Fridays and integrating with the current Kerikeri MTB students. The course would take 4 hours, with a 10 point focus on individual skills per session. This is an internationally recognised method of tuition. If the opportunity arises that a competition occurs during the semester we would recommend student entrance (at cost). Basic full suspension bikes will be provided. A reasonable level of fitness is required and further fitness work outside of the cycling days is a prerequisite
Theatre Arts Academy
With a growing reputation in Drama, Kerikeri High School offers the opportunity to develop skills and receive NCEA qualifications through its specialist Theatre Arts Academy, along-side continued academic studies. Learn from internationally experienced teacher-practitioners in flexible facilities at the school, plus access to a brand new arts venue located in Kerikeri.
Theatre Arts Academy – Requirements: Good spoken and written English; Preferably some previous experience in drama and dance; An adventurous and curious spirit; An abundance of energy
TUITION FEE 2025 and 2026 prices
NZ$ 16,000 for one year in 2025
NZ$ 1,250 general administration fee for 2025
NZ$ 325 per week homestay for 2025
NZ$ 17,000 for one year in 2026
NZ$ 1,350 general administration fee for 2026
NZ$ 340 per week homestay for 2026
Please note: Pocket money and personal expenses are not included
Academic Plus (on top of the tuition fee):
NZ$ 4,000 Sailing Academy, per semester 2025 and 2026
NZ$ 1,500 Surfing, per term 2025 and 2026
NZ$ 1,500 Equestrian, per term 2025 and 2026
