EDUCATION

The majority of school education in New Zealand is government funded. All children aged five to sixteen in New Zealand must attend school, with most attending schools closest to where they live. Primary and intermediate schools, of which the majority are co-educational, include levels 0 to 8 (ages 5 to 12).  Secondary schools include levels 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18). There is a variety of school types and teaching philosophies for you to choose from to best suit your child's educational needs.

Public-State educational institutions are government funded, and use the approved New Zealand curriculum. Integrated schools were private in the past, but are now public and state funded, retaining a unique teaching method and/or philosophy while integrating aspects of the New Zealand curriculum. The majority of integrated schools are Roman Catholic, though many are also Montessori and secular. Private educational institutions are not government funded, and depend on private student fees. For these, independent boards provide the curriculum for students which are more often than not in line with the New Zealand curriculum. Private schools in New Zealand are both single sex and co-educational, with most requiring uniforms.

Although the education system in New Zealand is of a very high standard, we recommend that when choosing a school for your child that you first familiarise yourself with the Education Review Office (ERO) and their subsequent reports. Each school in New Zealand provides an ERO report which highlights performance indicators, suggestions for ways that the school can make improvements, and the overall quality of education provided.

Please refer to our Regional Map section and General New Zealand Interest website links for the ERO link. We encourage you to research each school's prospectus that you might be considering, and make appointments to meet with teachers and administrators to learn more about enrolment schemes and school enrolment zones.