International Students
Taikura Rudolf Steiner School warmly welcomes International Students to our school.
Taikura Rudolf Steiner School warmly welcomes students from Rudolf Steiner/Waldorf schools around the world to apply as an international fee-paying student or as part of a student exchange.
This is a great opportunity to experience studying at a Rudolf Steiner/Waldorf school in a uniquely Aotearoa, New Zealand setting, while enjoying our welcoming and vibrant Taikura community and all that the picturesque Hawkes Bay region has to offer.
Taikura is the oldest Rudolf Steiner School in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We have 1 class per age group with around 300 students enrolled from Class 1 to Class 12. Our campus includes large outdoor green spaces as well as warm and considered indoor spaces including a modern whare, large gymnasium and hall, dedicated art, music, woodwork and handwork rooms and a digital technology suite. We offer a rich curriculum which includes lots of opportunities for education outside the classroom.
As an international student you may experience Marae week staying at the local marae at Waimarama Beach learning about pacific cultures, walking the Tongariro crossing, skiing in the South Island, or being involved in work week where you volunteer at a local business or maybe outside the Hawkes Bay region. Taikura has a strong sporting culture and high school orchestra that international students are welcome to join.
You must currently be studying at a Rudolf Steiner/Waldorf School to be eligible to enrol as an international or exchange student, spaces are limited. Taikura Rudolf Steiner School is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. We have an International Coordinator who supports International students during their stay.
Exchange Students
The student exchange programme is open to students in Class 10 (generally the third year at high school). Interested overseas students share a profile with us which is shared with Taikura students interested in doing an exchange. There may be some communication between the students to ensure a good match (interests, family, lifestyle etc), before the exchange is confirmed with the successful students.
We have limited exchange placements each year (usually 1 – 3 places), as such it is important to express interest early.
As part of an exchange programme both students will go to school together and live with each other’s family as part of their exchange. The exchange is usually for 1 – 2 terms (4 – 6 months) at each school. There are no school fees or accommodation costs for the exchange programme. Fees may be applicable if students are involved with camps, trips, musical instrument hire and sports.
International Fee-Paying Students
We have different options for International Fee-Paying students.
In Classes 1 – 9 (approximately 6 – 15 years old), students can enrol for a minimum of 1 term (10 weeks). Students must be living with their parents/guardians.
In Classes 10 –12 (approximately 15 – 18 years old), students can enrol for a minimum of 2 terms (6 months). Students can live with their own parents/guardians or in an approved homestay arranged by the school. Students completing the Steiner Certificate (enrolling for 1 year or longer) need to meet English language requirements.
Each class has a maximum student class size, as such we are only able to enrol international students if we have spaces available in the appropriate class. As at May 2026, we currently have space for international fee-paying students in Class 2, Class 10 & Class 11 this year.
Our availability can change over time, and we welcome expressions of interest from students interested in studying at Taikura in 2027 onwards. It is strongly recommended that international students apply to the school as early as possible, to allow time for paperwork, immigration, and homestay arrangements to be completed.
To register your interest or for further information including fees, please complete the form below:
Register Interest
