Johannes Marhenke

One of the great joys of having international students at Wellington College is seeing the incredible experiences they embrace while living and studying in New Zealand. Over the recent holidays, Year 12 international student Johannes Marhenke from Germany made the most of every opportunity, enjoying an unforgettable South Island adventure with fellow exchange students.

Johannes arrived at Wellington College in January 2026 and will remain with us through to the end of Term 3. Since arriving, he has thrown himself into school life — from competing at the famous McEvedy Shield to playing his very first game of rugby. Johannes has quickly become a valued member of our College community, bringing enthusiasm, positivity, and plenty of energy to school life.

During the break, Johannes joined a 10-day South Island tour that took in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery and adventure destinations. The group travelled through Christchurch, Kaikōura, Nelson, Franz Josef, Wānaka, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Lake Tekapo, experiencing everything from seal colony walks and kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park to glowworm walks and dolphin sightings.

A highlight of the trip was visiting the stunning Abel Tasman coastline, where Johannes enjoyed kayaking, hiking, and relaxing on golden sand beaches surrounded by crystal-clear water. Another unforgettable moment was tandem skydiving over the South Island — an experience Johannes described as “absolutely amazing” and one of the biggest highlights of his exchange so far.

Johannes also embraced Queenstown’s famous adventure activities, including the Nevis Bungy and jet boating through narrow canyons. Reflecting on the experience, he said the whole tour was “one of the best experiences of my exchange and something I will always remember with a smile.”

We are delighted Johannes is enjoying everything Wellington College and New Zealand have to offer. A huge thank you also goes to his wonderful homestay host, Shireen Maindonald in Karori, for the care and support she provides while Johannes is away from home.

Experiences like these are a wonderful reminder of the opportunities available to our international students and the lifelong memories they create during their time at Wellington College.