The Spanish language tour, organized with the help of ABBEY Language Travel, proved to be an unforgettable adventure for Kāpiti College students in September and October 2025.

The journey began with a welcome dose of sun and warmth in Barcelona after three long flights. Students enjoyed a walking tour of the city and marveled at the stunning architecture of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

A train took the group to Valencia, where the students experienced six days of genuine cultural immersion. They stayed with host families and attended a Spanish school daily, enhancing their language skills and learning about the city. Highlights included trying authentic Spanish food like paella, participating in a cooking class, and learning how to salsa dance. They also explored cultural sites like the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V and the City of Arts & Sciences complex.

The final Spanish stop was Madrid. Reached by train, the capital offered tours of the Prado Museum, a visit to the Real Madrid stadium (Santiago Bernabeu), and free time to explore the city's parks and museums.

Fortunately, the adventure didn't end in Spain! The return trip included an extended layover in Hong Kong. Instead of staying at the airport for the fourteen hours , the group maximized their time with a packed itinerary.

Highlights of the day included:

• Starting at Victoria Peak lookout for panoramic views of Hong Kong and enjoying gelato.

• The largest market in Hong Kong, including the famous Ladies Market and Sneaker Street.

• A 45-minute tour of Victoria Harbour aboard a traditional junk boat called the Duckling Sampan.

This incredible journey was a true cultural immersion, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the teachers and the school for organizing such a rewarding and educational trip.

After two years of intensive planning and fundraising, the much-anticipated 2025 Commerce trip to the USA finally became a reality! This was the fifth major Commerce trip since the first one back in 2015, and it was an unforgettable experience for the 49 Commerce students who took part. Led by our fantastic teachers—Mr Western, Ms Stockton, Mrs Wilkin and Mrs McLeod—the group embarked on an adventure of a lifetime.

The journey began with an epic 16 hour flight from Auckland to New York. Arriving in the city that never sleeps, the students hit the ground running, ready to soak up every opportunity. As a Commerce trip, a visit to Wall Street and a tour of the Federal Reserve brought classroom theories to life. 

The itinerary was also packed with iconic experiences. From the views atop the Empire State Building and the Edge, a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and a bike ride through Central Park, to a dazzling Broadway show and shopping sprees under the bright lights of Times Square. 

Beyond the tourist hotspots, the trip offered profound moments of reflection and personal growth. The visit to the 9/11 Memorial was a deeply moving experience, as was volunteering at a local soup kitchen. One of the biggest lessons in independence and confidence was mastering the sprawling New York subway system!

From NYC, the group travelled to Washington D.C. for another perspective on American life. Here, another bike ride allowed students to take in the sheer scale of the city's famous monuments, followed by a fascinating visit to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

In 2018, Kapiti students studying French got to spend 10 days in New Caledonia together with Madame Lamotte and Dr Brunoro. 

Their trip started with 5 days attending a local "lycée" (French High School). After being greeted with traditional Kanak dances and the famous French "bise", they attended classes like a local student, alongside their French pen pals. How fun to go to English classes given in French (and to be the best student in the class!), and to experience the famous French school canteen with its three-course meals! During this school experience, the students were hosted at their pen pals' homes, and were truly treated like a member of the family.

After this high school immersion, students got to spend 4 days in Nouméa at the fantastic Nouvata Hotel and to experience the dreamy beaches and food of New Caledonia. Among others activities, they took a trip to the magnificent Nouméa Aquarium, practice their French while shopping at local markets, snorkeled at l'Ile des Canards, and spent a full day boating and swimming with sea turtles on the pristine beaches of l'Ilot Amédée. 

Students came back with a greater understanding of the French and Kanak cultures, new friendships, and lifelong memories of white-sanded beaches and delicious French gastronomie. Quelle belle aventure!

A group of 16 students and two teachers from the Year 10 International Class visited Shanghai, Changzhou, Xian and Beijing in November last year. 

Highlights included our visit to our sister school in Changzhou where the students were in home-stays for five days, The Bund in Shanghai, The Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the Great Wall of China in Beijing. Also eating scorpions. That was fun. 

The China trip was the trip offered to the Year 10 International Class this year. Every year a trip is made available for junior students in November. 

The 2019 trips will to to Russia and Thailand. See Mr Tom Collin if you are interested.

On September 25 2018, Mr Brunton, Ms Yeon, 2 parent helpers and 20 Year 12 and 13 students left Kapiti College for a 2 week study tour of Japan. We spent a week with host families in Tokyo, where we participated in classes and club activities at our sister school, saw the sights of Tokyo, and spent a day at Disneyland. The students were spoiled rotten by their hosts (even having us for an extra night due to the typhoon that hit) and it was difficult to say goodbye.

We jumped on the bullet train and headed to Hiroshima, where we ate some of the famous local cuisine (okonomiyaki pancakes), and visited the Atomic Peace Park. We also spent the day at the island shrine of Miyajima, patting the tame deer and visiting Japan’s most historic landmark, the floating Torii (gate). 

After that, we traveled to Kyoto, where the students got to experience the historic temples and shrines of the old Imperial capital of Japan. Highlights were the Golden Pavilion, and the 1000 Buddha statue temple. Students also loved the day they had to explore the city on their own, with some trying delicious octopus on a stick and other local delicacies, while others enjoyed karaoke and arcades, and sushi train restaurants. 

All the students came back to NZ with a greater understanding of the Japanese language, and an appreciation of the culture, history and Japanese way of life. They have also made friends for life with their host families and sister-school friends.