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Local advice, place guides and suburb guides from around Rotorua.
Composite & Area SchoolsTe Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and TechnologyZone, NCEA Results & School FactsTe Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and Technology is a state, co-educational composite school for Years 1 to 10 at Turipuku Campus, Rotorua. It opened in 2019 and had 105 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. It has no home zone, so any student can apply. It describes itself as Ngāti Whakaue’s kura-ā-iwi, with …Towns, Coast and Wider-Region Day TripsŌhope BeachSwimming, West End Surfing and Water Quality, Day Trip from RotoruaHead to Ōhope Beach for golden sand, gentle surf at West End and shallow water for family swimming, an easy coastal escape.Secondary SchoolsWestern Heights High SchoolZone, NCEA Results & School FactsWestern Heights High School is a state, co-educational secondary school for Years 9 to 13 at 70 Old Quarry Road, Rotorua Central, Rotorua. It opened in 1961 and had 1,185 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. Its home zone includes 24 suburbs in full and parts of 8 more, among them Kapenga, Hamurana, …Secondary SchoolsRotorua Lakes High SchoolZone, NCEA Results & School FactsRotorua Lakes High School is a state, co-educational secondary school for Years 9 to 13 at Porikapa Road, Te Ngae, Rotorua. It opened in 1971 and had 621 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. Its home zone includes 17 suburbs in full and parts of 7 more, among them Tumunui, Victoria, Kapenga, Whakarewarewa, …Towns, Coast and Wider-Region Day TripsPiripai Beach WhakatāneSwimming, Water Quality and Day Trip from RotoruaEscape to Piripai Beach, a quiet stretch of golden sand beside Whakatāne with open surf, dog-friendly walks and room to spread out.Secondary SchoolsRotorua Girls' High SchoolZone, NCEA Results & School FactsRotorua Girls’ High School is a state, girls’ secondary school for Years 9 to 13 at 251 Old Taupo Road, Hillcrest, Rotorua. It opened in 1959 and had 605 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. Its home zone includes 46 suburbs in full and parts of 1 more, among them Tumunui, Victoria, Kapenga, …Lake Swimming SpotsLake RotomāLake Swimming, Water Quality and Getting ThereDive into crystal-clear Lake Rotomā, the cleanest of the Rotorua lakes, with lakeside reserves, deep blue water and easy summer swimming.Secondary SchoolsRotorua Boys' High SchoolZone, NCEA Results & School FactsRotorua Boys’ High School is a state, boys’ secondary school for Years 9 to 13 at 1612 Pukuatua Street, Rotorua. It opened in 1927 and had 1,137 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. Its home zone includes 46 suburbs in full and parts of 1 more, among them Tumunui, Victoria, Kapenga, Hamurana, Mount …Lake Swimming SpotsLake RotoehuLake Swimming, Water Quality and Getting ThereEscape to quiet Lake Rotoehu, a peaceful lake off State Highway 30 with two swimming bays, trout fishing and calm summer water.Secondary SchoolsJohn Paul CollegeZone, NCEA Results & School FactsJohn Paul College is a state-integrated, co-educational secondary school for Years 7 to 13 at Whitworth Road, Utuhina, Rotorua. It opened in 1987 and had 1,090 students on its roll at 1 September 2026. Its home zone includes 46 suburbs in full and parts of 1 more, among them Tumunui, Victoria, Kapenga, Hamurana, Mount Tarawera …Lake FishingLake Rerewhakaaitu FishingRainbow Trout Near RotoruaLake Rerewhakaaitu is a shallow, clear lake at the southern foot of Mount Tarawera, about 29 km south-east of Rotorua. Rainbow trout are the fish here, and they often cruise the shoreline where you can see them and cast to them. Anglers fish from the shore at Homestead Arm, Ashpit Bay and The Domain, or …Lake FishingLake Tikitapu FishingRainbow and Brook Trout Near RotoruaLake Tikitapu, also called the Blue Lake, is a clear, deep crater lake on Tarawera Road, a short drive from Rotorua. It is stocked with rainbow trout, and it is the only Rotorua district lake stocked with brook trout. Anglers fish from the beaches and the track above the shore, or from a boat, though …