It is compulsory for all new international students to attend a welcome orientation session and a student online learning session upon arriving in New Zealand.
International student events
Regular social events are run throughout the year, giving you the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and take a well-earned break from study. These events include everything from BBQs and lunchtime get-togethers to cinema movie nights and on-campus celebrations for important cultural holidays. Please scroll down to see what's coming up next, or click here to see all events for Semester 2, 2021, and download our calendar.
We also organise day trips to some of our country's most visited destinations.
Possible trips could include:
- Hobbiton and Mount Maunganui
- Taupo (with jet boating and bungy jumping)
- The geothermal wonders of Rotorua (including the Luge)
- Cathedral Cove and paddleboarding in the Coromandel
- Snowboarding and
Skiing (overnight trip)
- Waitomo's famous glow worms
- Waihi Beach
On top of this, you will also be invited to a range of engaging workshops to help you get the best out of your time at Wintec and in New Zealand, including advice on finding employment, staying safe in New Zealand, and caring for your wellbeing.
Wondering what we offer international students beyond study? Take a look at our summer break video below, which saw our students traversing New Zealand on some epic adventures, from go-karting in Rotorua to bunjy jumping, jet boating, and the hot pools in Taupo.
Upcoming international events
International Lunch
Each month, rotating between the City Campus and the Rotokauri Campus, join the International Student Support team for a FREE lunch! This could be anything from pizzas to samosas. You don't need to register for this event, but be sure to keep an eye out on our Facebook page for a reminder before, and on, the day.
Dates: First Tuesday of each month, 12pm-1pm
Look for the Wintec yellow International Student Services banner on the green outside of A Block.
Women's Self-Defence
FREE self-defence training course so you can cope with unsafe situations or relationships.
- Awareness discussions on violence: ‘victim’ and ‘attacker’ dynamics, power and control issues, along with recognising and responding to early signs of unsafe relationships.
- Self-esteem and confidence building: developing the belief in your own abilities to deal with unsafe situations.
- Physical skills and strategies to keep/get safe from violence and stranger attacks: kicks, punches, blocks, and releases.
- Local resources and support.
Tuesday 22 March 2022 in room D1.36, 1pm-4pm.
Safety with New Zealand Police
Come along to our workshop with the New Zealand Police and learn about keeping safe in New Zealand.
- Advice on safety
- How to report crimes
- Road safety
- Personal safety
- Scams
- International Student Ambassador Programme
- And plenty more!
Wednesday 30 March 2022 in room RkLg.22 (Rotokauri)
Thursday 31 March 2022 in room Ag.11 (City)
Employment Skills Workshop
Join us and special guest Susan Wright from Migrant Employment Solutions to find out:
- What employers look for in a new graduate?
- How can graduates make themselves more employable?
- How Migrant Employment Solutions can help you to find work?
Minimum employment rights.
Wednesday 6 April 2022 in room RkQg.50 (Rotokauri), 12pm-1pm.
Thursday 7 April 2022 in room A2.05 (City), 12pm-1pm.
International Insurance Workshop
Your international student insurance has changed. It is important you know what you are covered for and what you can claim for. Join us for lunch with Allianz (the insurers) to find out important information about your cover and the policy, such as:
- Can I claim for my glasses?
- What if my laptop gets stolen?
- Does the insurance pay the doctor directly?
- How do I make a claim?
- Why do claims take so long?
Wednesday 11 May 2022 in room RkQg.50 (Rotokauri), 12pm-1.30pm.
Thursday 12 May in room A2.05 (City), 12pm-1.30pm.
International Cultural Festival
Celebrate all of our diverse international backgrounds at our cultural festival! Activities on the day will feature everything from the likes of sugar painting to dragon dances, language learning, photo booth opportunities, mehndi, Māori music, and cultural food.
If you are interested in showcasing your own culture in some way at the festival, please email Coco at student_activities@wintec.ac.nz for more information.
Friday May 20 2022 at City Campus Hub.
Welcome orientation
Welcome orientation is designed to welcome all new international students to Wintec and get you all set to start on your Wintec journey. It is a great way to meet new friends and learn essential information about student services and campus facilities.
You will also receive a great Wintec goodie bag at the session and enjoy a free lunch.
Please attend one of the welcome sessions below.
Student online learning session
Get comfortable learning about the Wintec Student Portal, how to access important information and use Moodle. These sessions are taught on a computer/laptop.
Please attend one of the learning sessions below.
Please arrive on time to the session.
| Date and time | Location |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 2022: City Campus, 9 February, 3pm-4pm | A2.04 |
| Semester 2 2022: RK Campus, 10 February, 3pm-4pm | G1.19 |
Student feedback
Do you have feedback about the welcome orientation and online learning session? Please click here to fill in your feedback.
International Prospectus
The International Prospectus contains programmes we recommended for International Students. The Prospectus was current at the date of print. For current programme information, please refer to the programme web pages.
International student accommodation
Student Village
Only a five minute walk from the Wintec City Campus and downtown Hamilton, the Wintec Student Village offers a relaxed atmosphere, a pastoral care environment and a range of social and cultural activities through the year.
Bedrooms include a bed, study desk, cupboards and a wardrobe, with access to a phone, internet, kitchenette (excluding oven), separate toilet and shower. There is a shared full kitchen, TV lounge, games room and laundry.
Three main meals are provided on weekdays and two main meals on the weekend.
Wintec Apartments
Wintec Apartments offer a modern, self-catered style of accommodation situated in a three-level apartment complex building located on the Wintec City Campus. Wintec Apartments include four apartments per level, each containing 5 or 6 rooms, separate shower and toilet facilities, plus full kitchen and dining facilities.
Each level of the building offers a large common room/ study area, with shared laundry facilities and storage for bicycles and other large items available on the lower ground floor.
Services include access to a telephone for local calls and full access to high-speed wireless internet available free to students staying in the apartments. Security features include - swipe card access into your own apartment and into your individual room, sitewide CCTV, and Wintec security patrols.
Homestay
Homestay is where you stay with New Zealand families, in their homes. Our Homestay hosts are carefully selected for their kind and caring nature.
You will get to improve your English by talking to them; you will also be able to enjoy family activities, celebrations, religious practices, and sporting events.
When living in a homestay, the host will provide you with:
- A clean, comfortable home with a happy and relaxed atmosphere
- A furnished bedroom with a bed and comfortable mattress. A wardrobe or chest of drawers for clothing storage
- A desk or small table with a chair and lamp for study
- A heater (if required in winter)
- Access to Wi-Fi
- Access to kitchen facilities, laundry & ironing
- Three meals a day, 7 days a week (includes
lunch for school) and
access to snack
Are you moving out of your homestay?
If you are thinking of leaving your homestay, click the button below for the check out form, what you need to do and a handy guide to help you transition.
Accommodation costs
Click the button below to find current fees and information about all the Wintec accommodation options.
Apply for accommodation
International students applying to live in Student Village, Wintec Apartments, or a Homestay, must follow the process below.
Please note: *Under the NZQA Code of Practice for the Care of International Students, Wintec requires all students who are under the age of 18 to be housed in the Wintec approved Student Village.
- Complete one of the application forms below:
Under 18 Accommodation Application Form
pdf, 287 KB
International Accommodation Application Form
pdf, 830 KB
- Answer ALL questions in this form and sign and date the form.
- Email the form to: international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz
- Wintec will email to confirm we have received the application. Email us if you do not receive this email.
- A detailed confirmation email is sent once the accommodation is booked and confirmed.
Airport transfers
If you require an airport pickup to be arranged, please complete the form below and email to the international accommodation address below two weeks before you arrive in New Zealand. If your travel plans change, please immediately notify our accommodation team.
Our international accommodation email address is international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz.
All students aged under 18 must be collected by a Wintec assigned shuttle service and taken to their Wintec approved accommodation (unless other arrangements have been approved by Wintec).
Airport Transfer Form
pdf, 155 KB
Fees*
International Fees Flyer
pdf, 217 KB
*GENERAL DISCLAIMER
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, the user of the information agrees that the information is subject to change without notice. Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) will not accept liability for any errors or omissions contained in this brochure nor for any subsequent actions that may arise as a consequence of decisions made based upon its contents.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, the user of the information agrees that the information is subject to change without notice. Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) will not accept liability for any errors or omissions contained in this brochure nor for any subsequent actions that may arise as a consequence of decisions made based upon its contents.
Refunds
Refund policy
By accepting a place in a programme or paying fees at Wintec, a student enters a contract with Wintec for the period of the programme.
The student is required to pay the fee for one year or the length of the programme (if less than one year).
No refund will be given after the course or programme has commenced.
If there are insufficient numbers or enrolments, the programme may be cancelled and a refund will be given.
Application process
1. Submit an application
If you are applying to study through an agent:
Apply to study at Wintec by completing an International Application Form.
Please complete ALL sections of this form, attach the required verified documentation and sign and date the declaration at the end. As programmes are very popular, please apply early while spaces are still available.
Your agent will arrange for your completed application to be sent to Wintec.
If you are not applying through an agent please send your completed International Application Form and verified or notarised supporting documents to international@wintec.ac.nz. You can learn more about supporting documents here.
Alternatively, you can post a completed application form with supporting documents to:
Student Enrolment and Information Centre
Wintec
Private Bag 3036
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
Please note: It is compulsory for all International Students to have appropriate and current Medical and Travel Insurance while studying in New Zealand. It is a Wintec requirement for International Students to be covered from the day the student leaves their home country to the expiry date of their Visa plus one week. Proof of current Medical and Travel Insurance is required before your enrolment can be finalised.
Now that you've applied to study at Wintec, here's what happens next:
Receive your offer letter
Congratulations, you’ve been given an offer of placement. (If your offer is conditional, once the condition(s) of the Conditional Offer Letter are met, a new Unconditional Offer Letter will be issued to sign).
Sign offer
Sign the Acceptance Page of the Offer Letter, with all applicable boxes ticked and return to our Enrolment Team: international@wintec.ac.nz.
Immigration
Take your offer letter to Immigration NZ to obtain your student visa approval in principle. Find your nearest Visa Application Centre.
Pay fees to Wintec
Note: A Fee Receipt cannot be issued until Wintec has receive an Acceptance Form, Payment of all applicable fees, The INZ Officers name, email address and your student’s INZ application number.
Place confirmed
You will receive a Paid Offer Letter and programme induction information. You can find pre-departure information in the Wintec Orientation Handbook.
Travel plans
You’ll need to notify the Wintec Accommodation Officer of your accommodation requirements and travel plans by emailing:
international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz.
Accommodation and airport transfers
Our international centre team can arrange accommodation placements and airport pickup. There are four options for accommodation, home-stay (living with a family), hostel or flatting. Learn more about accommodation and airport transfers.
Arrive in New Zealand
Once you’ve arrived in New Zealand, visit Wintec and complete your enrolment at the Student Enrolment and Information Centre. See campus maps.
Entry requirements
English language requirements
All Wintec mainstream programmes have an English language requirement for students whose first language is not English.
TABLE for Internationally recognised English Proficiency Outcomes
Concurrent programmes:IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent
Programmes level 4 and below:
IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent
Programmes levels 5 to 7:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands, or equivalent
Programmes level 8 and above:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all bands, or equivalent
Additional requirements:
2 year validity period for all assessments. External bodies may influence some programme specific IELTS levels. You must provide evidence of your proficiency in the English language.
Gaokao Scores for 2021 enrolment
Click hereAcademic entry requirements
Wintec has set minimum requirements for academic entry to programmes for International Students.
The requirements are listed by country.
Visas, permits and immigration
All International students must hold a valid student visa for the duration of their studies.
Full details of visa requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements are on the New Zealand Immigration Services website, www.immigration.govt.nzVisa renewal on campus
An online service for Student Visa Renewal is available for Wintec international students, in partnership with the New Zealand Immigration Service.
Wintec students can access this service by applying through the Student Enrolment and Information Centre on the Wintec City Campus.
Most students receive their Visa label within seven working days of applying. Students are able to retain their passports during the application period.
Visa renewal through immigration
Medical and travel insurance
All International students enrolling with Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) (including group students) MUST have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while in New Zealand. Your insurance must cover you from the beginning of your studies until at least the expiry date of your student visa. This is a New Zealand Government requirement as outlined in the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and under Immigration New Zealand policy.
You will be automatically enrolled into the Wintec insurance scheme and a policy charge will be added to your tuition fees invoice at your enrolment. Details of the Wintec insurance scheme may be found here . Students who have opted to purchase an alternative approved policy will have this charge removed when you have presented your policy to Wintec at the Student Enrolment and Information Centre.
Meet the team
Student Support team
Karen Kemsley
International Student Services Manager
Aaron Zhou
International Student Services Advisor
Unmesha Veetil
International Student Services Advisor
Coco Xie
International Student Activities and Events
Susan Ye
International Student Services Advisor
Sally McGill
International Accommodation Advisor
Business Development team
Tony O'Brien
International Business Development Director
Diane Fountain
International Business Development Coordinator
Aubrey Medwid
Study Abroad, Scholarships, and Student Exchange
Market managers – student recruitment
Edward Park
International Market Director – Korea, Japan, South America, Africa, Russia, Indonesia, Pacific, and New Zealand onshore
Balraj Sharma
International Market Manager – South Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
Graeme Rennie
International Market Manager – Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia
International Centre
From the moment you arrive in New Zealand, our dedicated International Centre team is here to provide all the help and support you need. At Wintec, you will not be just another student at a tertiary institute, you will be an important part of a lively community learning with and about each other.
We can help you with your accommodation needs, getting you settled into your studies, emergency assistance and pastoral care.
We also organise events and activities throughout the year to make you feel at home and celebrate your cultural diversity.
| International | |
| Girish Nair | International Director |
| Market Managers - Student Recruitment | |
| Edward Park | International Market Director - Korea, Japan, South America, Africa, Russia, Indonesia, Pacific, and NZ onshore |
| Graeme Rennie | International Market Manager – Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia |
| Balraj Sharma | International Market Manager – South Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh |
| Other Areas | For China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, please contact Tony O'Brien from the Business Development team |
| Student Services | |
| Karen Kemsley | International Student Services Manager |
| Unmesha Veetil | International Student Services Advisor |
| Aaron Zhou | International Student Services Advisor |
| Susan Ye | International Student Services Advisor |
| Sally McGill | Senior International Student Accommodation Advisor |
| Coco Xie | International Events and Activities |
| Business Development | |
| Tony O'Brien | International Business Development Director |
| Diane Fountain | International Business Development Coordinator |
| Aubrey Medwid | Study Abroad, Scholarships, and Student Exchange |