This is a challenging, broad and balanced two-year international curriculum involving internal assessment and final examinations at the end of the second year. Successful completion of the programme results in a qualification that is welcomed by universities in New Zealand and around the world. The IB encourages international-mindedness and a positive attitude to learning.

The ‘Learner Profile' is the centre of the programme model and is surrounded by the core requirements of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). This reflects the concern with developing competent, caring and active citizens as well as subject specialists. All three parts of the core - the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) - are compulsory and are central to the philosophy, and appeal, of the Diploma Programme.

Students then study six subjects. These include two languages, one course from individuals and societies (group 3), one experimental science (group 4), one mathematics course (group 5), and one course chosen from the arts (group 6) or another subject from groups 1 to 5. Three subjects are studied at ‘higher level', and the remaining three subjects are studied at ‘standard level'. Higher level courses require study in more depth and breadth than standard level.