Getting a Catholic education is so important to one Rotorua family that it is considering sending its daughter to a school more than two hours away if she can't get into John Paul College.
Lauren James' daughter, Maringi James, 13, was put on the wait list for John Paul College for Year 9, despite meeting all the special character requirements.
Ms James said she was considering Rotorua Girls' High School as an alternative but said it was "not ideal".
"I like that it's an all-girls school but we want that religious education, which you can only get in Rotorua at John Paul College.
"Our other option is sending her outside of Rotorua to St Joseph's Maori Girls' College but ultimately we would prefer to stay local.