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Local schools
Many children attend a school close to home. These schools often have a zoning system. If you live in the school's zone, your child is guaranteed a place. If you want your child to attend a school outside your area, you might need to apply, and a place is not guaranteed. Depending on the schools in your area, you can choose between single-sex or co-educational schools.
State schools
Most schools in New Zealand are state schools, which are owned and funded by the government. They teach the national curriculum and are non-religious.
If your child is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (a ‘domestic’ student) they can go to a state school for free. Some state schools may ask for donations to supplement government funding. You will need to pay for things like stationery, uniforms, textbooks, and school trips.
State-integrated schools
State-integrated schools are owned by a private entity, such as a church or trust. They are funded by the government and teach the national curriculum. These schools have their own special character, values, and philosophy, often based on a religion.
Most state-integrated schools charge fees to cover the cost of maintaining their special character and privately owned land and buildings.
Charter schools | kura hourua
Charter schools are government-funded but operate independently. They have more freedom to set their own curriculum and teaching methods. Charter schools cannot charge tuition fees to domestic students. However, if they own their property, they may charge maintenance fees, like state-integrated schools.
Private schools
Private schools get some government funding but mostly rely on school fees paid by parents. They create their own learning programmes and do not have to follow the national curriculum.
Kura kaupapa Māori | Māori-medium education
Māori-medium education is where students are taught in the Māori language for at least 51% of the time. This is known as Māori language immersion levels 1-2.
Māori language in English-medium schools is where students learn te reo Māori as a subject or are taught in Māori for up to 50% of the time, known as Māori language immersion levels 3-5.
Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa – Te Rūnanga Nui
