Key changes

The key changes include:

1. A set of ‘criteria for closing’ boards must use when making the decision.
2. In 2025 boards can close their school for four half-days for curriculum related purposes. These half-days don’t need to be made up, so long as 6 weeks notice is given to whānau.  
   • Schools covering years 0-8 have to use the four curriculum half-days for Maths or Pāngarau PLD.
   • Schools covering years 9-13 can use two half-days for general curriculum and assessment PLD and two half-days to prepare for the new curricula being implemented in 2026.  
   • Schools covering all years can determine how best to meet the requirements above.
3. Boards can close their school for an additional four half-days per year that need to be made up, for purposes to be determined by the board based on the criteria for closing.  

Criteria for closing

If a board wants to close its school for instruction during term time, it must:

• meet the minimum number of half days required under the regulations for the school year
• give at least 6 weeks’ notice to the community in advance of closing.  
• have a clear and justifiable purpose to close for instruction.
• consider the impact closing will have on learners, whānau and local communities.

When deciding if a closing for instruction day is appropriate, we recommend boards consider the following.

• Whether closing for instruction may be aligned with other schools in their local area.
• The board’s ability to arrange supervision for ākonga when the school is closed.

There will be limits on some schools' ability to accommodate these final two points, particularly depending on its size and location. It is up to the board to decide on their relevance and applicability.  

Schools needing to close for emergencies do not need to meet these criteria.  

Closing during term time at the board’s discretion

Boards have ministerial approval to close their schools for instruction during term time for up to four half-days per year.  

The half-days can be used at the board’s discretion and you don’t need permission to close, so long as the criteria for closing are met. These half-days need to be made up, either at the start or end of the year.

Closing for more than four ‘board’s discretion’ half-days requires approval from the Minister. Contact your local Te Mahau office to apply.

For clarity, the purpose for closing is determined by the board, so long as it meets the criteria for closing. These settings will be in place from Term 1 of 2025.

Schools do not need permission to close for emergencies. If your school needs to close due to an emergency, please contact your local Te Mahau office as soon as it is safe to do so.

Curriculum half-days 2025

The Minister of Education has granted schools permission to close for four additional half-days in 2025 for curriculum focused professional learning and development (PLD). These days do not need to be made up.

For schools and kura covering Years 0-8

The four curriculum half-days must be for the purpose of staff participating in maths or pāngarau PLD.

For schools and kura covering Years 9-13

The closures for two half days must be for the purpose of staff participating in curriculum and assessment related activities.

The closures for two half days must be for the purpose of staff participating in activities to prepare for implementation of the English, Te Reo Rangatira, Maths and Pāngarau curricula in 2026; and these closures may only occur in Term 4 2025.  

Parents and caregivers must have been given at least six weeks’ prior notice of the closure for all curriculum days.