The IB Diploma programme is aimed at average to good students with a strong work ethic: it is not a qualification only accessible to the highly talented, but its rigorous standards and sizeable workload do require a great deal of commitment, organisation and initiative.

In 2009 five Year 12 students are undertaking the full diploma programme at Nga Tawa. The IB subjects they are studying are English, French, History, Geography, Biology, Mathematics, and Music. Additional courses may be offered in the future subject to sufficient numbers choosing it. They are also studying Theory of Knowledge, and working towards their Creativity, Action and Service requirements.

Courses are taught during the usual school day, with the exception of Geography and Theory of Knowledge where some classes are taught in the evening.

Where there is sufficient overlap, IB students can also be assessed for Level 2 or 3 NCEA credits. However, the focus for these students is the IB diploma and NCEA assessment will only be offered if it does not require additional work to what they are already doing.