Is it hard to get a tradesperson in Tauranga?
It can be — the region has grown faster than the trades in it, and the honest constraint is the calendar. Putting your timing in the request means a business that cannot make it says so up front instead of going quiet.
Does the tutor need to know NCEA?
For a secondary student, yes. Knowing the subject is not the same as knowing how the standards are assessed, and the second is usually what lifts a grade.
How often should sessions be?
Weekly is the usual rhythm, more in the run-up to exams. What matters more is whether the work between sessions actually happens, which a good tutor will set and check.
Online or in person?
Both work. Online widens who you can choose from and suits older students; younger children usually do better in person. Say which you prefer in your request.
Are tutors vetted?
It varies, and it is fair to ask. For one-on-one work with a child, ask about police vetting and references before the first session rather than after.