Compulsory education in New Zealand is divided into primary, intermediate and secondary schooling. Children most commonly start school when they turn five even though schooling is compulsory from age six.
While most students in New Zealand attend state-funded schools, you have the choice of schooling options. Most children attend the school closest to where they live but some have an enrolment scheme to prevent over-crowding.
Schooling in New Zealand
Types of Schools
Choosing a School
Enrolling
Starting School
More Information
Schooling in New Zealand
Compulsory education in New Zealand is divided into primary, intermediate and secondary schooling.
Primary schools: Caters for children from the age of five years - from entry to school - to the end of Year 6.
Intermediate: Children in Years 7 and 8 may either be in a separate intermediate school or part of a primary, secondary or composite/ area school.
Secondary schools: For students from Year 9 until the end of Year 13. Adult students who return to school enter in whichever year the majority of their subjects are in.
Area/composite schools: Are usually based in rural areas, combine primary, intermediate and secondary schooling at one location.
Types of schools
While most students in New Zealand attend state-funded schools, parents or caregivers and students have the choice of schooling options.
State schools: Co-educational (mixed sexes) at primary and intermediate level but some offer single-sex education at secondary level. Lessons are based on the New Zealand curriculum.
Special schools: State schools that provide education for students with special education needs. The curriculum is the same as at other state schools. More information about special education
Independent (or private) schools: Governed by their own independent boards but must meet certain standards in order to be registered. Independent schools may be either co-educational or single-sex. They charge fees, but also receive some subsidy funding from the government.
Boarding schools: May either be independent or part of a state-funded school. All charge boarding fees.
Integrated schools: Schools that used to be private and have now become part of the state system. They teach the New Zealand curriculum but keep their own special character (usually a philosophical or religious belief) as part of their school programme. They receive the same Government funding for each student as state schools but they charge attendance dues to meet their property costs.
Designated character schools: State schools that teach the New Zealand curriculum but have been allowed to develop their own set of aims, purposes and objectives to reflect their own particular values.
The Correspondence School (TCS): Provides distance learning for more than 20,000 students across New Zealand. Students may live a long way from their nearest school, live overseas, study with TCS for medical reasons or have special education needs. Secondary students may also enrol in specific subjects if these are not available at their regular school. They also offer programmes in early childhood and some specialist adult education courses, such as English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
Find out about The Correspondence School eligibility
Kura kaupapa Māori: State schools where the teaching is in the Māori language (te reo Māori) and is based on Māori culture and values. The curriculum is the same as at other state schools.
Choosing a School
Most children attend the school closest to where they live. Parents and caregivers can apply to enrol their children at any state school of their choice. However, if a school has too many children wishing to enrol, the Ministry of Education may require a school to operate an enrolment scheme to prevent over-crowding.
An enrolment scheme must contain a home zone with clearly defined boundaries. Students who live within the home zone have an absolute right to enrol at the school. Students living outside the zone can still apply to enrol, but if there are more applicants than available places, a ballot will be held to determine who can enrol.
Parents or caregivers can phone the schools they are interested in and ask to visit. They can ask to see the latest Education Review Office report from: http://www.ero.govt.nz
Many schools have a prospectus or brochure that sets out their ideals and what the school offers its students. Schools also have a school charter and you can ask to see a copy.
Choosing a Primary School
The Education Review office has published a guide to how to choose a primary school for your child.
Choosing a secondary school
In some areas families have a choice of secondary schools. Here are some steps you could follow in making your choice.
Enrolling
When to enroll
Children can be enrolled in a New Zealand school from their fifth birthday. All children in New Zealand must attend school from their sixth birthday.
How to enroll
Once parents and caregivers have decided on a school they are encouraged to visit to fill in an enrolment form, with an opportunity to meet the principal, before the child's first day. They are then given information about school opening hours and how the school operates.
Starting School
Children most commonly start school when they turn five even though schooling is compulsory from age six. Where children start school for the first time after the age of six, they are placed in the same year as other children of the same age.
A child starting primary school for the first time between July (when the school roll is counted) and 31 December of a school year, and aged between five and six, will be classed as Year 0.
Children who begin school for the first time between 1 January and before the July roll count will be classed as being in Year 1.
More Information
For more information on education in New Zealand visit the Ministry of Education website