As many as 48 former Christchurch pupils and their families have put down roots in the Wakatipu, instead of returning to the earthquake-affected city.
The Otago Daily Times contacted all seven schools in Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown and Glenorchy last week to ask how many pupils had enrolled and how many former Garden City pupils had re-enrolled for the new term.
Wakatipu High School welcomed 60 pupils from Christchurch after the February 22 disaster and 11 pupils remained.
Principal Lyn Cooper said she was not aware of any new enrolments from Christchurch, just the pupils who had stayed on.
The school had 732 pupils, including 39 international, in years 9 to 13.
"There are definitely some [Christchurch families] who are staying. I definitely know of two or three families," she said.
"Predominantly it's to do with housing. They may have had homes here and been renting in Christchurch, which is no longer suitable. Or they have been trying to buy in Christchurch and found that too difficult."
There were 600 pupils attending Queenstown Primary School and another 30 were expected to enrol with the onset of the winter sports season.
Up to 50 Christchurch pupils enrolled after the quake and 15 remained. Many of those would stay permanently, deputy principal Jim Turrell said.
"We placed the pupils with other pupils from Christchurch, so that they could immediately form bonds with children who had experienced the earthquake, as well as those who had not. These small groups of pupils became important friends who helped each other through the crisis."
Mr Turrell said many displaced families treated settlement in the Wakatipu as "an exciting opportunity".
"They have family or business connections here and some have the luxury of working remotely and connecting through communication technologies. Why would you live anywhere else?"
Arrowtown School welcomed eight new enrolments, including two pupils who moved from Christchurch because of the aftershocks. The school took in 55 pupils in the aftermath of the quake and four remained.
The two new pupils were from England and arrived in Christchurch with their family 18 months ago, principal Robin Harris said.
"This whole last six months of earthquakes and shocks was their motivation for moving somewhere else."
About 50 Christchurch pupils enrolled at Remarkables Primary School, in Frankton, after the quake. A total of 14 returned for the new term, which took the roll up to 294, in years 1 to 6.
Principal Debbie Dickson said former Cristchurch pupils had settled in very well and the school community had been very supportive.
Fifteen Christchurch pupils enrolled in St Joseph's School in the aftermath of the quake, two of them permanently.
Glenorchy School had 27 pupils in years 1 to 8. The sole Christchurch pupil returned to the city after Easter.
The enrolment for KingsView School, in Frankton, remained at 17. The two Christchurch sisters who enrolled returned in March.
What the pupils say
• Queenstown-born Lisa said she and her family moved to Christchurch at the start of this year, but she re-enrolled in Wakatipu High four weeks after the February earthquake and she wanted to stay.
• Bethany has been schooled in Queenstown since year 7 and started boarding in Christchurch in year 10, until she was re-enrolled in Wakatipu High on the day of the February quake. She said she might like to return to the city.
• Queenstown-born Jacob and family had lived in Christchurch since he was 3 years old, but he was enrolled in Wakatipu High 10 days after the February quake and he also wanted to stay.
