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Five fun things to do near the Embassy Auckland school

  • Stroll in the Auckland Domain, a nearby park which is actually built around an extinct volcano. Feeling chilly? Step into the tropical and temperate greenhouses.
  • Experience indigenous culture up close with the Maori performance at Auckland Museum.
  • Enjoy Auckland Art Gallery, only a short walk away. See the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand, then enjoy the palm trees and flower gardens of the nearby Albert Park.
  • Explore the sandy inlets, sea-caves and bird sanctuaries of the Hauraki Islands.
  • Climb to the top of the Sky Tower and get a birds' eye view of Auckland city. If you are the adventurous type, you could even try the Sky Jump.

Auckland Events:

January: Auckland's Big Night Out: Festival featuring top names in pop and rock music.
Auckland Harbour Regatta: This historic boat race has been running since 1840. Enjoy a range of accompanying activities onshore.
February: Waiheke Island Wine Festival: New Zealand is famous for its wine, and at this annual event you can taste several from Waiheke Island (forty minutes from Auckland).
Auckland Lantern Festival: A stunning end to the city's Chinese New Year celebrations see Albert Park filled with lit-up lanterns, plus food and fireworks.
March: Pasifika Festival: A celebration of Polynesian culture, with dance, music, food and craft.
Auckland Festival (biennial, every odd year, i.e., 2009, 2011, etc): A major arts festival featuring visual art, theatre, music, comedy and dance.
April – May: Auckland Comedy Festival: See comedians from all around the world perform with only one aim: to make you laugh.
July: Auckland International Film Festival: Enjoy films and documentaries from all over the world: there’s always something to suit everyone.
September: New Zealand Fashion Week: Featuring some shows which are open to the public, and a final day of music, markets and other events.
December: Christmas in the Park: Midsummer entertainment, with music and other attractions. An annual opportunity to enjoy time with your new friends; and it's free.

Links

Auckland City Council Presents information on interesting places, arts, sports and weather - together with a searchable events database and news feature.
Tourism Auckland City of Sails Discover the story of Auckland , things to do, islands of the Gulf, what's on, visitor guides and a gallery.
Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World Penguins walking in fresh snow, live sharks and stingrays - this site contains a guide to the attractions at Kelly Tarlton's.
Cornwall Park Visit Cornwall Park, famous for its landscaped design, wide variety of trees and geological features.
Eden Park Eden Park is the home of New Zealand cricket and rugby.
Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) Learn about New Zealand's technical achievements - this site includes details of exhibitions and events
Auckland Art Gallery Near to our school, and a great place to soak up some culture.
Christmas in the Park Find out more about this unique event.
View Auckland The Aucklanders' guide to Auckland.

Auckland: local information

All the practical details you need. Can't find something? Just ask us a question.

School facts:

  • Class size maximum 18
  • Number of students maximum 240
  • Number of teachers 15
  • Minimum student age 16
  • Average student age 18
  • Internet Students can have free access to the internet in the school's computer labs; there is also wireless internet access throughout the school.
  • Facilities Computer labs; library; student common room, interactive whiteboards.
  • Accessibility The school is accessible to those in wheelchairs.
  • Accreditation Our Auckland school is accredited by NZQA, guaranteeing you quality English language tuition.
  • Exams TOEIC testing centre



  • Nearest café/restaurants: 1 minute's walk
  • Nearest coffee shop: In the building
  • Nearest newsagent: 1 minute's walk
  • Nearest church: 5 minutes' walk
  • Nearest mosque: 5 minutes' walk
  • Nearest post office: 10 minutes' walk
  • Nearest bank: 2 minutes' walk
  • Nearest park: 2 minutes' walk
  • Nearest bus stop: 1-10 minutes' walk, depending on destination
  • Nearest supermarket: Chinese 2 minutes; general, 15 minutes' walk
  • Nearest shopping centre: 15 minutes' walk

Cost of Living

We currently advise that students should budget approximately NZ $150 per week. This will cover all transport, food and entertainment costs.

A few sample prices (all in NZ $):

Item Price
Item Price
A cup of coffee (in a chain like Starbucks) 3.00 – 5.00
Can of Coca Cola 1.50 – 2.00
Big Mac hamburger 5.00
Three course meal in a mid range restaurant 30.00 – 40.00
Takeaway, eg from a noodle barTakeaway, eg from a noodle bar 6.00 – 15.00
Cinema ticket 15.00
Nightclub entrance 5.00 upwards
Taxi Minimum 2.00, then 1.80 per km; more at night and on holidays.
Bus From 1.60 - season passes available.
Train From 1.40 - season passes available.
Ferry From 10.00 - season tickets available.
(information last updated July 2008)

Prices are in NZ $. Access a currency converter here.

Embassy Auckland location map

  • Click and drag on the map to see the surrounding area
  • For a photographic aerial view, click on 'satellite'
  • Zoom in or out with the tool top left

How to reach Embassy Auckland

Embassy Auckland is situated in the centre of Auckland city and is very easy to reach by public transport. Britomart Transport Centre and the ferry terminal are about 15 minutes from the school by foot. Bus stops are located all around the school, and your stop will differ depending on which part of the city you are coming from. There is also a free City Circuit bus service available in the city centre.

From the Britomart Transport Centre or the ferry terminal

By foot: Exit the building, cross over Quay Street, and head south straight down Queen Street. Carry straight along Queen Street for just under a kilometre, until you hit the junction with Karangahape Road. Turn left onto Karangahape Road, and look out for our building on the left, on the corner with Liverpool Street.

By Link bus: This bus will take you to the corner of Karangahape Road and Queen Street, a block from the school. It runs every 10 - 15 minutes, 6.00 am – 11.30pm (7.00 am to 11.30pm at weekends). It costs NZ $1.60 per ride; various season tickets are also available.

Cross to Queen Elizabeth Square, and catch the bus going southbound. Get off at the Karangahape bus stop, then walk east down Karangahape Road. Look out for our building on the left, on the corner with Liverpool Street.


By City Circuit bus: This bus will take you about three-quarters of the way. It runs every ten minutes, 8am-6pm, seven days a week.

Cross to Queen Elizabeth Square, and catch the bus going southbound. Get off after six stops, at the Civic Theatre.

From here, continue walking southbound along Queen Street. The second major junction you will encounter is with Karangahape Road. Turn left into Karangahape Road and look out for our building on the left, on the corner with Liverpool Street.

From the intercity bus terminal on Hobson Street (bottom of Sky Tower)


By Link bus: This bus will take you to the corner of Karangahape Road and Queen Street, a block from the school. It runs every 10 - 15 minutes, 6.00 am – 11.30pm (7.00 am to 11.30 pm at weekends). It costs NZ $1.60 per ride; various season tickets are also available.

Catch the bus going westbound. Get off at the Karangahape bus stop, then walk east down Karangahape Road. Look out for our building on the left, on the corner with Liverpool Street.

By foot: Walk south down Hobson Street for three blocks until it becomes Pitt Street, branching off to the left. Follow Pitt Street South East for three blocks until it crosses Karangahape Road. Turn left onto Karangahape Road, cross over Queen Street, and walk a further block. Look out for our building on the left, on the corner with Liverpool Street.

(information last updated July 2008)

Links:

Auckland International Airport Find flight information and a guide for passengers.
Stagecoach Auckland Find out about the free City Circuit bus service. The site also has ferry information.
Rideline Bus train and ferry information for Auckland, provided by the regional council.
Linkbus Auckland's environmentally-friendly bus service.
Auckland Regional Council Useful page on Auckland's public transport, with information on cycling and walking in the city, too.

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English courses in Auckland

 

Certificate of English
Examination Preparation: IELTS
One-to-one

Auckland facts

Hottest month January - February 70-75° F. Bring: summer clothes such as t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Also, a sweater, light coat, shoes and jeans for evenings and colder spells. If you will be exploring the countryside, bring sturdy walking boots and outdoor wear. Don't forget sun cream and a sunhat.
Coldest month July - August, 50-59° F. Bring: warm clothes: sweaters, jeans, a waterproof coat, a hat, scarf, gloves. If you will be exploring the countryside, bring sturdy walking boots and outdoor wear.
Note that central heating is relatively uncommon in New Zealand and temperatures indoors may be lower than you are used to.
Weather now Five-day forecast from the BBC
Time zone NZST (New Zealand Standard Time) Time now World Clock
Best known for The Sky Tower; sandy beaches; friendly locals; sailing; incredible surrounding scenery; outdoor and adventure pursuits; the Harbour Bridge; hot springs.