International Student Prospectus 

Code

Mahurangi Technical Institute has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education.  Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/

Immigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz.

Eligibility for Health Services

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand.  If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment.  Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health and can be viewed on their website at http://www.moh.govt.nz.

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs.  Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz

Medical and Travel Insurance

International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand.

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students enrolling at MTI.  You can purchase your own insurance in your own country or MTI will organise for you to see someone to arrange it for you.  You must attach to your enrolment a copy of your medical and travel insurance if you purchase it yourself.  MTI will keep a record of the Insurance Policy number and the type of cover provided.

 
1. INFORMATION ON MTI 

Nga mihi mahana ki a koe
Naumai ki te whanau

Warm greetings to you
Welcome to our family

Mahurangi Technical Institute (MTI) is located in Warkworth which is 65 kilometres north of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Warkworth is a small friendly town, surrounded by farmland. It is close to beaches and Rodney's largest marine reserve. The Mahurangi district also has vineyards, art and craft workshops.

MTI has been operating in its current form since 1991.

Staff

MTI has a team of dedicated staff who are committed to help you. Click here to visit our staff page

MTI have at their modern Glenmore Drive campus:

• 13 classrooms, including specialised laboratories, a computer room and workshops. The facilities are well equipped and have been approved by Maritime New Zealand as well as the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
• A student recreation room with pool and table tennis tables and darts, and outside areas including an outdoor basketball court and skateboard ramp.
• The Recreation Co-ordinator will arrange various social activities throughout your study period in which you may wish to participate.

Course Costs - 2007

Cost of Tuition

Course Cost $NZ (inclusive of GST):National Certificate in Computing (Level 2): $3,330-00
National Certificate in Computing (Level 3): $3,330-00
Certificate in Tourism with Hospitality (Level 3) (34 weeks): $9,300-00
Certificate in Superyacht Crew (Level 3) (12 weeks): $10,960-00
Certificate in Marine Technology (Level 4) (42 weeks): $12,350-00
Royal Yachting Association Certificates: Prices on request

Cost of tuition includes:
• All tuition fees.
• Student workbooks.
• Examination fees.
• NZQA unit standards costs and hook on fees.
• Field trip transport.
• Field trip accommodation.
• Additional Study Costs

The following items are not included in tuition costs:
• Stationery requirements which generally would not exceed $50.
• Field trip meals which generally would not exceed $100.
• Fee Protection

Mahurangi Technical Institute protects your fees with the Public Trust. Fee Protect is a student fee trust account which ensures you receive a refund on student fees – held in trust – if Mahurangi Technical Institute is unable to complete your course (this could be because of closure, insolvency, loss of NZQA accreditation or course withdrawal). Your fees are deposited into the trust account with payments made to MTI over an agreed timeframe and payment schedule.

Accommodation costs

MTI Wickens Place student hostel: $198 per week.  A $100 non-refundable booking fee is payable on application. Click here for more information about our student hostel.

Living Costs

Here are some examples of what you might expect to pay in New Zealand dollars for:
A bus ticket to Auckland from Warkworth: $26 (one way approx.).
A fast food meal: $10.
A pizza for two: $20.
A can of cola: $1.50.
A coffee in a café: $3.50.
A Thai or Chinese meal: $20.
A postcard bought and mailed home: $2.00.
A haircut: $25 (men), $55 (women).

Medical and Travel Insurance

If you wish MTI to organise this for you the cost is approximately $600 per year.

Please refer to section 6 (Medical and Travel Insurance) below for further information on medical and travel insurance.

2. COURSE INFORMATION 

See our Courses page for more details.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES 

• Complete the MTI enrolment application form (contact MTI to obtain one of these).
• Return it to MTI by post or fax with supporting documentation attached.
• MTI staff evaluate your application.
• If you are accepted you will be sent an ‘Offer of Place’ with a fees invoice.
• You apply for a visa through the nearest office of the New Zealand Immigration Service.
• You accept the offer by the payment of the fees.
• MTI will send you a letter confirming your enrolment and accommodation.
• If required, on arrival you will be met by an MTI representative who will take you to your accommodation.
• MTI will keep a photocopy of your visa and a photocopy of your passport title page.

3.1 Offer of Place

If your application is accepted by MTI you will receive an ‘Offer of Place’ on the course. You are then required to accept this offer by paying in advance all course fees, accommodation placement fees (if accommodation assistance has been requested) and medical insurance premium (unless you have arranged your own).

3.2 Airport Transfers

If required, on arrival to New Zealand you will be met by an MTI representative who will take you to your accommodation.

4. MEDICAL SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT VISAS AND PERMITS 

IMPORTANT NOTE - NEW HEALTH REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE ON AND AFTER 4 APRIL 2005

New Zealand’s health requirements changed on 4 April 2005 and will apply to all applications lodged on and after that date.

TEMPORARY ENTRY CATEGORIES

STUDY, WORK AND VISIT

a. If you intend to be in New Zealand for less than six months you are not required to submit a Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) or Temporary Entry Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) with your application.

b. If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than six months and up to 12 months and:

• You do not hold a passport* from a country listed below; or
• In the five years prior to your application, you have spent (lived in and/or visited) a combined total of three months or more in any country or countries NOT listed below, you must submit a Temporary Entry Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) with your application. 
  Note: Pregnant women and children under 11 years are not rquired to have a chest X-ray examination

Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB):
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Cyprus
Denmark
Finland
France
Iceland
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
(New Zealand)
Norway
Puerto Rico
San Marino
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vatican City

*If you can satisfy an immigration or visa officer that you have never lived or spent time in a country not listed in the box above, the requirement for you to undergo a TB screening X-ray examination and provide a Temporary Entry Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) may be waived.

Examples:

• If you hold a Chinese passport and have lived in China you will need to have a TB screening X-ray examination.
• If you hold a United Kingdom passport and, at anytime in the five years before making your application, you spent five weeks in Thailand and seven weeks in Fiji, you will need to have a TB screening X-ray examination.

c. If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than 12 months you must submit a Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) with your application.

What does this mean for students?

From 1 April 2005 all students must provide a chest x-ray plate and x-ray certificate if:
• They intend to remain in New Zealand for more than six months but less than 2 years; and
• They are from a high TB risk country; or
• They have spent (lived and/or visited) a combined total of three months or more in a high TB risk country in the past five years prior to the application being made.

Students who intend spending two years or more in New Zealand to study will need to undergo a full medical and X-ray examination. If they have completed this medical, they will have already been screened for TB and will not need to undergo a separate chest X-ray or complete the new X-ray form.

In most cases an X-ray cannot be completed without a referral from a doctor to a radiologist. The student should make an appointment to see a doctor for a referral.

In some countries medical information must be provided by doctors nominated by the NZIS. Students can refer to the list of panel doctors at www.immigration.govt.nz to see if they need to see one of our panel doctors.

If a student’s X-ray indicates signs of TB, further tests may be required such as a sputum culture or bronchoscopy. These will be at the student’s own expense.

Additional TB tests may take eight weeks or longer, so the student must allow themselves enough time for TB screening.

Any costs associated with tests and appointments are to be met by the student.  If the student is in New Zealand the costs are not covered by the New Zealand health service, unless they require ongoing treatment for TB. The indicative cost for an X-ray in New Zealand is around $100.

Questions and AnswersWhat is a Low TB risk country? A country with a Tb rate of less than 20 cases of Tb per 100,000 population. Any country that appears in the 'Identified Low TB risk country' as compiled by the Ministry of Health.  This list will be updated from time to time.

What is a high Tb risk country? A country with a Tb rate of over approximately 20 cases of Tb per 100,000 population or a country whose notification is likely to be inaccurately low due to poor diagnosis and notification. Any country that does not appear in the Identified Low TB Risk Country list compiled by the Ministry of Health.

What does spent time mean? Spent time means an applicant has lived in or visited a country or countries for the specified time of three months or more in the five years prior to the application.

What do you mean by combined total? Combined total means the sum of all time spent in a country or countries over the last five years prior to application. An example of this is where a person may have spent three weeks out of each year (for the last five years) in Thailand. The total amount of time spent in Thailand is 15 weeks therefore they would require Tb screening. Another example is a person who has spent two weeks in India, three weeks in Thailand, two weeks in Fiji, three weeks in Malaysia and two weeks in South Africa, this totals to 12 weeks, therefore will need to have an x-ray.

How do you determine whether you have to undergo Tb screening? Are you staying for more than six months but less than 2 years? Is your passport issued from a country that does not appear in the Identified Low TB Risk Countries list? Have spent more than 3 months in the last five years in any country or countries that does not appear in the Identified Low TB Risk Countries list?If the answer is Yes to question 1 and Yes to question 2 or 3 then you must undergo TB screening.

5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE 

By signing the enrolment form you are agreeing to abide by the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.

Entry Criteria

Age: International students must be over 18 years of age.
English Language Proficiency: Mahurangi Technical Institute is not an English language school, therefore a competent level and understanding of the English language is required prior to acceptance on to any programme.
If you are in doubt regarding your English proficiency please complete an IELTS (or equivalent) of which you will require a minimum 5.5 pass.  Please attack to the enrolment form a copy of any IELTS or equivalent test results.

Rules and Regulations

The following rules and regulations apply to the time you are studying at the institute.

Attendance Rules

• You are expected to attend your classes every institute day and arrive on time for morning and afternoon classes.
• If you cannot attend the institute because of illness or another reason you must contact the institute (09 425 8493 or 0800 DON’T SINK) early in the morning as soon as possible to let us know.
• If you are away sick for more than three days you will be asked for a medical certificate.
• You must attend class for a minimum of 80% of the tuition time or you may not be eligible to sit an assessment.
• If you need to take leave from your studies you must apply in writing to the Course Tutor giving your reason for the leave.
• If you do not attend the institute regularly or are absent without good reason you may face disciplinary action and not be allowed to continue your studies. The NZ Immigration Service will be informed and your visa may be cancelled.

Behaviour Rules

• You must treat institute students, staff and homestay family members with respect.
• You must treat the property of institute students, staff and homestay families with respect. If you damage institute property in any way you must report it immediately and you may be charged for it.
• You must not use bad or offensive language at any time.
• You must not bring or use alcohol or drugs on any institute premises.
• You must not bring any sort of weapon to institute or engage in fighting.
• You must not smoke in the building.
• You must keep the institute tidy and clean up areas after use.
• You must be attentive and not disruptive in class.
• You must turn off mobile phones in class.
• You must complete your set homework before your next class.
• You must not eat food in class.
• You must not enter restricted areas such as offices, storerooms, computer rooms, laboratories when classes are not being conducted.
• You must tell the Enrolments Officer if you change your accommodation address and any contact details, such as land and mobile phone numbers, email address, etc.

Discipline

If you do not follow any of the institute rules and regulations you will get:

• a first written warning
• a second written warning
• a dismissal notice from the Director
• Warnings are not necessarily for the same offence.
• Instant dismissal is possible for gross misconduct such as destroying property, supplying false information, fighting, theft or bringing or taking alcohol or drugs on the premises or bringing MTI into disrepute.
• If you are dismissed, you cannot continue with any course at the institute and you will not get a refund for the part of the course you have not attended. If you are dismissed from the institute and on a student visa, then the institute has to advise the NZ Immigration Service of your dismissal. If this happens, the NZ Immigration Service may cancel your student visa.
• An appeal against dismissal should be made in writing within three days. The Director will respond within three days with a decision.

Refunds and Withdrawals

If you wish to withdraw from a course you must complete the MTI Withdrawal Form, which you can view and print out as a pdf file here.

Before commencement of the course

• If you withdraw from a course before the course commences all tuition fees will be refunded less an administration fee of $100-00.

After course commencement

• If you are enrolled for a course of up to and including four weeks and six days and notification of withdrawal is received in the first two days of the course, you will receive a refund of 50% of your course fees.
• If your notification is received after two days from the start of the course there is no refund.
• If you are enrolled for a course of five weeks or more but less than three months and your notification of withdrawal is received in the first five days of the course, you will receive a refund of 75% of your course fees.
• If your notification is received after five days from the start of the course there is no refund. 
• If you are enrolled for a course of three months and longer and notification of withdrawal is received in the first seven days of the course, you will receive a refund of your full fees, less NZ$500 or 10%, whichever is the lesser. If notification is received after seven days from the course start there will be no refund.
• If the institute is not able to offer your course for some reason you will get a refund of your full fees. If your course starts and then is cancelled you will get a refund for the number of weeks of teaching not offered to you. If this happens, the institute will do everything it can to enrol you in another course that meets your learning needs.

Currency Fluctuations

You will be notified of the exchange rate at the time of enrolment. Refunds are made at the current exchange rate at the time of withdrawal.
NOTE: Mahurangi Technical Institute keeps your course fees in a trust account which means that they are protected for the time you are studying.

6. MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students attending MTI.

You can purchase your own insurance in your own country or MTI will organise for you to see someone to arrange it for you. You must attach to your enrolment a copy of your health and travel insurance if you purchase it yourself.

7. ACCOMMODATION 

Mahurangi Technical Institute offers international students accommodation at their hostel:

Wickens Place Student Hostel

Most international students choose to stay in the 27 bed MTI hostel which is of a similar standard to a 3 star hotel but is relaxed and comfortable. The hostel has been inspected by MTI and meets local authority and fire standards. The full time hostel manager ensures the hostel is well managed. A hostel meeting is held every two months with the MTI Enrolments Officer and Hostel Manager to monitor the operation of the hostel. Students are asked to give feedback on the hostel operation.

The hostel features:

• Single and shared (2 people) lockable rooms with study facilities.
• TV lounge.Central dining room.
• A games room.
• Within 5 minute walking distance to the MTI campus and 10 minutes to the Warkworth township.
• Close to bus route.
• A resident hostel manager lives on site 24 hours a day.
• Cost: $195 per week inclusive of a continental breakfast and evening meal and laundry of bed linen – Note: fees do not include lunch.
• Internet and e-mail use.
• Laundry facilities provided for you to do your own washing – cost NZ $2-00.
• Hostel cleaning is done by hostel staff.
• Landscaped gardens.
• Off street parking.
• Security lighting.

Application process for accommodation

• You will be informed in the ‘Offer of Place’ that accommodation has been booked for you and you will be invoiced for the cost with your tuition fees.
• A NZ$100 (non refundable) booking fee is payable to secure your place at the student hostel.
• If required you will met at the airport by a MTI representative who will take you to your accommodation.
• For any queries regarding accommodation please contact the Enrolments Officer (Amanda Steenhart).
• Leaving your place of accommodation
• You are required to notify Mahurangi Technical Institute (Amanda Steenhart) of any change in your details: Accommodation type and residential address and leave a contact phone number at your place of residence if away for a short time i.e. weekend.

8. ENGLISH LANGUAGE INFORMATION 

You need to meet English language requirements for your application to be approved.

Requirements for Applicants

As an applicant you must provide: either

• Evidence of competency in both spoken and written English. At least either IELTS level 5.5 or 6.0 or TOEFL 550, with a minimum score of 4.0 or 5.0 on the written test. These tests are internationally recognised and both can be taken in New Zealand or:
• Evidence that you have an English speaking background or:
• Evidence that you’ve been employed in New Zealand for at least 12 months in a position that’s required you to speak English. We’ll need a written reference on company letterhead from your employer providing their contact details and details of your employment with them. If you’re still employed you can instead show us your current employment contract or:

You can show us through other means that you are a competent user of English. The factors we will consider may include:
  - Your current country of residence.
  - Countries you may have lived in before.
  - How long you were in each country.
  - Whether you speak any languages other than English.
  - Your family's ability to speak English.
  - Whether your family members speak any languages other than English
  - Your previous or current work and the level of English language skills required.
  - Your qualification and the level of English language skills they required.

Definitions

English speaking background
You are considered to have an English speaking background if you can provide evidence that you have either completed one of the following:

• All primary and at least 3 years of secondary education at a school or schools that taught in English
• At least 5 years of secondary education at a school or schools that taught in English; or
• A course taught in English that took at least 3 years and lead to a tertiary qualification.
  OR your hold one of the following qualifications:
• A General Certificate of Education (GCE) ‘A’ levels from Britain or Singapore with a minimum C pass. Your pass needs to include English language or Literature or Use of English;
• An International Baccalaureate – full Diploma in English medium;
• A Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English with a minimum C pass;
• A Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) including a minimum C pass in Use of English;
• STPM 920 (Malaysia) with an A or B pass in English literature;
• University of Cambridge in collaboration with University of Malaya, General Certificate of English (GCE) ‘A’ levels with a minimum C pass. Your pass needs to include the subjects English of General paper;
• South African Matriculation Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grade);
• South African Senior Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grande), endorsed with the words ‘matriculation exempt’;
• A New Zealand tertiary entrance qualification gained on completing the seventh form.
• Otherwise meeting the minimum standard
  You are considered to otherwise meet the minimum standard if you can satisfy us that your circumstances show you are a competent user of English. These circumstances may include (but are not limited to):
• The country in which you live.
• The country(ies) in which you have previously lived.
• How long you have lived each country.
• Whether you speak any language other than English.
• Whether your family speaks any languages other than English.
• The nature of your current and previous employment and whether it required skill in English.
• The nature of your qualifications and whether studying for them required skills in English.

Purchasing ESOL Tuition

For more information about ESOL tuition the Tertiary Education Commission can help you identify an appropriate provider if you require English language tuition to meet the requirements.

Contact address:
The Tertiary Education Commission
P O Box 76 328, Manukau City, New Zealand.

9. SUMMARY CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

The following provides a procedure that students can follow if they have concerns about their treatment by a New Zealand educational provider or agent of a provider.

What is the Code?

The Code is a document that provides a framework for the service delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students.  The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to international students.  The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards.

Who does the Code apply to?

The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with international students enrolled.  The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.

What is an "international student"?

An "international student" is a foreign student studying in New Zealand.

How can I get a copy of the Code?

You can request a copy of the Code from your New Zealand education provider.  The Code is also available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.

How do I know if an education provider has signed the Code?

The New Zealand Ministry of Education maintains a register of all signatories to the Code.  This is available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.  If the education provider that you are seeking to enrol with is not a signatory to the Code, you will not be granted a permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service and will not be able to study at that institution.

What do I do if something goes wrong?

If you have concerns about your treatment by your education provider or by an agent of the provider, the first you must do is contact the principal, the international student director, or another person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your institution.  The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.
If your complaints are not resolved by the internal grievance procedures, you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).

What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)?

The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with complaints from international students about pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their education provider or the provider's agents.  The IEAA enforces the standards in the Code of Practice.

How can I contact the IEAA?

You can write to the IEAA at:
International Education Appeal Authority
C/- Ministry of Education
Private Bag 47-911
Ponsonby
Auckland

Fax: (09) 374 5403
Phone: (09) 374 5481
E-mail: info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz

What will the IEAA do?

• The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from international students.  The IEAA will investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code.  The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions on education providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a serious breach.  These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of the breach, and/or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.
• The IEAA 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 that time, the IEAA may refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
• The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code is a serious breach.  If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the complaint to the Review Panel.

What can the Review Panel do?

The Review Panel can remove or suspend an education provider as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from taking any more international students.  Only the IEAA can refer complaints to the Review Panel.

A summary of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

The Code sets standards for education providers to ensure 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 are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments.
• contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.
• the particular need of international students are recognised.
• international students are in safe accommodation.
• all providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances.

Full details of what is covered can be found in the Code itself.
The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to receive and adjudicate on student complaints.