To Enrol at Rutherford College:

We welcome applications from students aged 14 – 19 years old who wish to study at Rutherford College. If you wish to contact us regarding availability or have any questions, please email: [email protected]

To apply, please use our Online Application Form. As you work through this, you will be able to ‘save draft’ and come back to it later. Please ensure that you enter all the fields possible. 

Please make sure you have scanned copies of the following documents ready to upload before you begin:

• Your current passport
• Your photo
• Your last 2 school reports, with attendance information (translated into English)
• Letter of introduction (family, school, hobbies, goals, reasons for coming)
• Vaccination certificate (if available and must be in English) 

The application form will include and require you to have read and agreed to the following documents:

• Code of Conduct
• Digital Citizen Contract
• Investigation Procedure
• Refund Policy
• Group Refund Policy

Our homestay provider is Lake Panorama Student Homestay.

Successful Application

1. If your application and homestay application are approved, we will send you a provisional offer of place and invoice. 
2. After Rutherford College has received full payment, a confirmation receipt and an updated offer of place will be sent to you. This may be required for your visa application. Your agent may be able to assist you with this. 
3. Insurance should now be arranged. It is compulsory for all international students to have full insurance cover throughout their time in New Zealand. 

1. Unicare is Rutherford College’s preferred insurance provider https://www.uni-care.org/Policy/NzStudentPlan. 

   If you are providing your own insurance, it must meet the insurance requirements outlined in  The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (Translations: Te Reo Maori | German | Hindi | Japanese | Korean | Samoan | Spanish | Thai​ | Vietnamese) and a full English translation of your overseas policy must be supplied to Rutherford College to show evidence of its validity and that the requirements in this document (below) have all been met.  

   Please note that insurance must be arranged prior to departure and must include:

   1. The students travel -
      1. to and from New Zealand; and
      2. within New Zealand; and
      3. If the travel is part of the course, outside New Zealand
   2. Medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery, and hospitalisation:
   3. Repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious illness or injury, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members assisting with repatriation or expatriation:
   4. Death of the student, including cover of -
      1. Travel costs of family members to and from New Zealand; and
      2. Costs of repatriation or expatriation of the body; and
      3. Funeral expenses
   5. When the visa and insurance are received and approved by Rutherford College the pre-departure information (including homestay information) will be sent to your agent.

Orientation

Our orientation begins before you depart. Pre-departure information will be sent to you via your agent while you are still in your home country.
Then, after you arrive at Rutherford College, you will take part in an onsite orientation program which includes English language testing and subject selection.

You may also find the following information useful:

• Fee Structure (January to June 2025)
• Fee Structure (July to December 2025)  
• Student Fee Protection
• Rutherford College Student and Parent Pre-departure Booklet
• Lake Panorama Student Homestays Handbook
• Homestay Student Guidelines
• Designated Caregiver Expectations and Guidelines
• Uniform Shoppe
• Who do I see if I need help or have a problem 

Rutherford College Policy Documents 

Rutherford College Policy Documents can be viewed at SchoolDocs Policies and Procedures.
Within these is a section specific to International Learners which outlines how Rutherford College meets the requirements of the Code of Practice.
The policies and procedures contained link to each other and are best viewed electronically.

Username= rutherfordcollege - Password=kotuku.

• Marketing and Promotion
• ​Managing and Monitoring Education Agents
• Offers, Enrolment, Contract, and Insurance
• Immigration Matters
• International Orientation
• International Safety and Wellbeing
• International Learner Support, Advice, and Services
• Managing Withdrawal and Closure
• International Learner Concerns and Complaints
• International Learners Review
• International Information Management

We encourage you to view these documents, they are regularly reviewed.

Enrolment Conditions

International students enrolled at Rutherford College have the same behavioural and attendance expectations as our domestic students. Our International Student Code of Conduct outlines additional expectations for international learners, and this is included in our application form. Termination of an international student enrolment shall occur:

• At anytime if both parties agree or
• By Rutherford College if fees are not paid in advance or if the student fails to abide by the conditions outlined in the Enrolment Agreement or if the student ceases to hold (or is no longer eligible to hold) a valid student visa issued by NZ Immigration.
• At the end of the school year in which the student turns 19 years old.

Rutherford Uniform - The Uniform Shoppe

Naumai NZ - Information and suggestions to help you find your way, connect and explore your new home.        

Tourism New Zealand - Tourism New Zealand's offers some valuable information about tourism opportunities for families while in New Zealand.  

100% Pure New Zealand - 100% Pure New Zealand offers some valuable suggestions and information about tourism opportunities for families while in New Zealand. 

Study in New Zealand - The official Government site for advice on studying abroad in New Zealand. This site offers information on a range of courses at universities, institutes and schools. You can also read student stories of real life experiences and learn important information about the costs of living in New Zealand.  

Immigration New Zealand’s Studying in New Zealand - This site offers information about studying in New Zealand, student life and working while studying. This site also offers information about visa options for students and families. 

NZQA’s Studying in New Zealand - This site offers further information about New Zealand qualifications, secondary school and NCEA, Tertiary education and quality assurance of education in New Zealand. 

New Zealand Now - This Government website share information about living, working, studying and investing in New Zealand as well as information about visas, job prospects and the great lifestyle here. 

Education New Zealand - Education New Zealand (ENZ) raises awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and supports education providers and businesses to export their services and products. 

What to do if you have a complaint - NZQA guide for what to do if you have a complaint.

Disputes Resolution Scheme - The DRS supports students to resolve complaints with their education provider,  ph:0800 006675

International Student Complaint Policy - Rutherford College policy for international student complaints.

Rutherford College Policies are available through SchoolDocs. Username: rutherfordcollege. Password: kotuku. Click on the "International" tab to find all the International policies for Rutherford College.

​