Mahurangi College Trips Programme

The college offers international students opportunities to see more of the North Island of New Zealand  during their time here. The progamme has been designed to allow students low cost, budget travel to some of the exciting destinations from the central North Island to the Far North. These trips are all inclusive with meals arranged for, and no ‘optional extras’. All activities are included in the overall cost.  The college is able to run these trips at lower costs than tour operators as the college is not into making a profit as a private company needs to. Comparisons with college trips costs and private educational tour companies will always show a college trip is cheaper and offers the same activities as the companies. The college will undertake these trips during term time ie school days.  Longer trips such as the South Island tours are done by private tour operators during the holiday periods.

Meals:  The college funds a ‘food kitty’ where basic food items are purchased by the college and students make use of this in their meal preparation. Such items include:  bread, milk, tea, coffee, fruit (apples, oranges, bananas), condiments (salt, pepper, sauces), spreads such as jam, peanut butter, margarine, cooking oil, etc. Students are encouraged to cook / prepare their own meals and will need to buy some main food items such as cereal, fruit juices, meats. In this way costs are kept at a minimum  as they often buy for a small group and students have healthier food options rather than reliance on fast food.

Accommodation:  We stay at backpackers or holiday camp grounds in separate male / female dormitories.  Students are supervised by college staff who know the students and care for them on a daily basis. This accommodation will have their own cooking and meal preparation facilities for student use. Staff will assist students in their meal preparation.  On some trips such as the Rotorua / Taupo trip all meals are included in the price and there is no need for students to purchase their own food items unless they wish to have a particular food item or special snack.

Activities:  These focus on adventure tourism and educational aspects. As stated above, these activities will have their prices included in the overall cost of the trip. Students will not be asked to pay for ‘extras.’