How the education system works
The New Zealand education system has five levels (*Note: the age ranges shown are approximate):
- Early childhood (ages 0-4)
- Primary, Years 1-6 (ages 5-10)
- Intermediate, Years 7-8 (ages 10-13)
- Secondary, Years 9-13 (ages 13-19)
- Tertiary (age 18+)
In your area there may be choices between single sex, co-educational, public and private schools.
For more information about the schooling system in New Zealand, visit the Ministry of Education's website or call 04 463 8699.
Early childhood education
Early Childhood Education (ECE) is available for children up to five years of age. Your children can go to kindergartens, play centres, childcare centres, home based networks, correspondence school, play groups funded by the Early Childhood Development Unit and Te Kohanga Reo (Maori language nests).
Most of these centres ask you to pay for the service. Check that the centre is registered with the Ministry of Education - this ensures that the quality of their buildings and equipment is high and that staff are qualified.
To find out more about early childhood education, visit the Early Childhood Education's website or call 04 463 8699. For a list of early childhood education providers in Wellington, refer to the Yellow Pages website – type in “childcare and education”.
Government assistance
The Government provides up to 20 free hours of early childhood education and care per week for three and four year old children in New Zealand. This includes kindergartens, education services, care services and home based care networks. The hours can be split over two facilities and you can claim up to six hours per day.
For more information on free hours of early childcare education go to the Ministry of Education’s website and look up 20 Hours' ECE: Information for Parents (PDF 77kb).
Primary and secondary school education
If you have a work visa and paid employment or NZ permanent residency status, your children can receive free education through the government funded school system. Alternatively you may choose to send your children to an independent or private school where you will pay fees.
The school year begins in late January and ends in November for secondary schools and mid December for primary schools. It is divided into four terms. For the exact dates for each year visit the Ministry of Education's website.
After school care
OSCAR or ‘Out of School Care and Recreational Programme’ is run in many areas to help low income parents and caregivers access childcare they can afford. The government helps to pay some of the fees. To check if you qualify, visit the Work and Income website or call 0800 559 009.
Examinations
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the national public examination system from Year 11. (Note: the ages shown are approximate.)
- Year 11: NCEA level 1 (age 15)
- Year 12: NCEA level 2 (age 16)
- Year 13: NCEA level 3 (age 17)
A New Zealand Scholarship qualification is also offered to challenge and recognise high performing students in Year 13. To find out more, visit the National Certificate of Educational Achievement website.
Reports on schools
The Education Review Office checks all New Zealand schools. Schools are reviewed every 3-4 years with early childhood centres being checked every 4-5 years. To find out more, visit the Education Review Office website.
Special education
There are special education services for children with:
- Physical or intellectual difficulties
- Hearing or vision difficulties
- Problems with learning, communicating, socialising or emotional/behavioural issues
Special education helps these children to take part as fully as possible in their schooling. To find out more, visit the Ministry of Education website or call 0800 622 622.
You can find schools in your area at the Ministry of Education's School Zones website.
Choosing a university or polytechnic
The following institutions provide tertiary education in our region:
The Open Polytechnic www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz also provides long distance learning.
