Book Now
Otago Aviation Academy

International Students

Otago Aviation Academy is an NZQA approved private training establishment in Wanaka, New Zealand. We provide the highest quality and best value training due to the unique aviation environment we have in Wanaka.

Studying for a career in aviation

Enquire now to find out more about enrolling with Otago Aviation Academy


Otago Aviation Academy welcomes international students and is available to help answer your questions and provide you with a range of services and support while you are studying with us.  This includes information about our facilities, enrolment processes, assistance with visa requirements and accommodation arrangements.  We run a thorough orientation programme and throughout your training you will have the opportunity to enjoy social activities and functions. 


We encourage you to get involved with as many activities both at the airfield and off while you are here.  We have contacts with other aviation and community organisations – if you have a question, we should be able to help or be able to put you in touch with the right people.


LEAVING YOUR COUNTRY

Once you have received your Offer of Place there are still a number of things that you need to do to confirm and prepare for study at Otago Aviation Academy. View our checklist which is at the back of the Student Handbook, or ask for a copy, and make sure you have everything in place before you leave your country.


ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND

Once you have arrived in New Zealand you need to get to Otago Aviation Academy.  If you would like to be picked up, you will need to arrange this before leaving your country.  For more information, including customs and immigrations procedures refer: Customs New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand.


ORIENTATION

Once you are in New Zealand you will be guided through an orientation or induction process before your course commences. Also recognising that the induction is an ongoing process giving out information at relevant times.



Pastoral Care of International Students

WHAT IS THE CODE OF PRACTICE?

The “Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016” (The Code) sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that provides a framework for services delivered by and expected of educational providers and their agents with respect to international students.


When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, safe and properly cared for.

An ‘International Student’ is defined as a foreign student studying in New Zealand.

The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards

The Code ensures that:

  • High professional standards are maintained
  • The recruitment of International Students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
  • Information supplied to International Students is comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date.
  • Students (or in the case of under 18 year olds, their parents/guardian) are provided with all the information they need prior to entering into any commitments
  • Contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner
  • The particular needs of international Students are recognised and supported
  • International students are in safe accommodation
  • All providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of International Student grievances

WHO DOES THE CODE APPLY TO?

The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with enrolled International Students. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them. Signatories to the Code undertake an annual self-review of their processes and procedures relating to the Code and attest to the compliance with the Code to the Code Administrator.


HOW DO I FIND A COPY OF THE CODE?

The Code of Practice is available from:
Leigslation.govt.nz
NZQA Code of Practice


WHAT DO I DO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

If you have concerns about how your education provider has treated you, or how the agent of the education provider has treated you, you must first contact the person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your organisation. The Code requires all providers to have fair and equitable internal grievances procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.

If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievances procedures, you can contact the Code Administrator (NZQA) or the agency contracted to manage student complaints on their behalf.   The agency appointed to manage student complaints is an independent body who manage complaints from international students about the pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their education provider or the provider’s agents. They have the power to recommend sanctions on education providers who have committed a breach of The Code that is not a serious breach.

The agency will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care to another regulatory body if appropriate.  The education provider will be given a reasonable time to remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within the stipulated timeframe the agency will refer the complaint to the Code Administrator for further action. The agency provides annual reports to the Code Administrator on its activities.



Requirements for Working and Studying in New Zealand

AM I ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND WHILE STUDYING?

Students may be able to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and full-time (40 hrs) during scheduled holidays on a student visa.

There are a number of requirements that students must meet to be able to work while studying – Immigration New Zealand has full details here.

You need an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number before you are able to work. Visit the IRD website for forms www.ird.govt.nz for more information.

Remember that you must not undertake employment in New Zealand until you have permission from the New Zealand Immigration Service.

For minimum wage or workers rights information, click here.

STUDENT VISAS / IMMIGRATION

All International students must have a valid visa while in New Zealand, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid student visa at all times.

Immigration NZ (INZ) website https://www.immigration.govt.nz/secure/default.htm

We strongly advise you do not make any travel arrangements before your visa has been issued.

POLICE CERTIFICATE

All international students who wish to study in New Zealand are required to be of good character. Sometimes INZ requires you to submit a police certificate from your home country when applying for a visa for the first time. Police certificates are normally valid for three (3) years after they are presented to INZ.

There is a “Specific Country Procedures” about how to obtain a police certificate from your home country. Please click here. Additionally, check out the Immigration New Zealand website for more details.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Medical certificates are normally valid for three (3) years.  INZ will contact you if further tests are required.

MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while in NZ.  Refer to: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz Link  insurance for international students.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY VISA HAS EXPIRED?

If you are still enrolled, you will have to apply for your student visa through your nearest INZ Branch.  Otago Aviation Academy will issue you a statement of enrollment letter to prove that you are an enrolled student.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR A VARIATION OF CONDITION?

Your visa sticker should at all times meet the conditions stated therein such as your programme of study, organisation and location, otherwise the INZ has the right to cancel your student visa

If you intend to enrol in a different study programme, organisation, university or campus location, you need to apply for a variation of condition at your nearest INZ Branch or apply for a whole new visa. If your visa does not allow you to work, you may also apply for the variation of condition which will permit you to work up to twenty hours per week and full-time during the summer break.



Living in New Zealand

New Zealand is a great place to live, study and work. We have useful tips and advice on what to bring, personal safety, transport, accommodation, studying and the cost of living in Auckland, New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government’s website New Zealand Now has lots of information to prepare you for living and studying in New Zealand.


RENTING / ACCOMMODATION

Otago Aviation Academy is not responsible for accommodation but we can offer advice and support to students living in or wanting to live in private accommodation and help find temporary accommodation according to your needs, until you establish your own living situation. We can help you with knowing where to find accommodation, plus what to be aware of when renting in New Zealand.  Please contact us for more information.

Renting and you  is a guide to the law and renting in New Zealand and contains information about your rights and obligations when renting a property in New Zealand.

Contact us for further guidelines about accommodation procedures and options.

HOMESTAY OR BOARDING HOUSE ACCOMMODATION

Homestay accommodation is when a student lives with a local family in the family’s home. Homestay is a unique experience which can give an opportunity to practice English and learn about New Zealand or Kiwi way of life, in a safe and supportive environment.

Boarding House accommodation allows students to live in good quality accommodation at an affordable rate, with the flexibility of either short or long term tenancies.

All approved homestay and boarding house accommodation is compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016

BUDGETING

In addition to your compulsory tuition fees, you will also have to pay for:

  • rent or board
  • food
  • power
  • internet
  • course-related costs (eg. books, laptops, etc)
  • mobile phone
  • public transport or car costs (eg. petrol, registration, warrant, parking, insurance, maintenance)
  • entertainment
  • toiletries/cosmetics
  • dentist/doctor bills (your health insurance will cover most of it)
  • clothes

Studying and living costs provides information on starting study and living costs while studying

NZ Ready is a useful planning tool to help you move and settle in New Zealand.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS

Otago Aviation Academy

Enquire Now

Flight Photo Gallery

Web Design & Dev Copyright © 2025 U-Fly Wanaka