The New Zealand Education System « Elemensa Relocation Consultants

The New Zealand Education System

1. Structure of the New Zealand Education System

The New Zealand education system is well-regarded internationally. In 2000/2001 New Zealand spent 6.1% of gross domestic product on education, compared with the OECD average of 5.4%. New Zealand rates in the top third of OECD countries for most education indicators.

In the 2007 Programme for International Student Assessment/OECD study of 15 year olds in 57 countries, New Zealand students ranked 3^rd in science, 6th in mathematics, and 4th in reading. Refer to www.pisa.oecd.org for more details.

1.1 Free Access

Children have the right to free access to publicly funded (State) schools in New Zealand from their 5^th birthday to the end of the year in which they turn 19 years. (Refer to eligibility criteria in Section 2 below).

1.2 Compulsory Attendance

School attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 years through 15 years, (i.e. the school leaving age is currently 16 years), although most children commence school at 5 years of age, usually on their birthday. Home-based schooling is an option in approved circumstances.

1.3 Administration

The Ministry of Education provides policy advice, and allocates funding to educational institutions (from pre-schools through to tertiary institutions) in accordance with government policy. The Ministry develops national curriculum criteria, and also manages the government’s capital assets in the education sector.

The Education Review Office acts as an independent evaluator of educational service providers. The ERO reports in detail on the effectiveness of individual educational institutions (schools and pre-schools) on a regular basis. These reports are available to the public.

Two government agencies, the Early Childhood Development Unit and the Specialist Education Services unit, address the support of children aged 0-5 years, and children with special needs respectively.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority maintains the standards and framework for national qualifications and examinations. It also assesses overseas qualifications against New Zealand standards.

All state schools are managed by Boards of Trustees. These boards are elected every three years by parents of students at the school, and also include the Principal, a staff representative, and sometimes a student representative. The Boards work with the

Principal in managing the operational budget of the school, and have considerable autonomy.

Every school must have a charter, stating the objectives and goals of the school in achieving the National Education Guidelines within the context of the local community.

1.4 Curriculum

Schools must follow the guidelines of the New Zealand Curriculum Framework.

The broad principles for the curriculum are that it will :

Be broad, balanced and common.
Be inclusive of all students.
Foster success and achievement for all students.
Enable students to become independent and lifelong earners.
Ensure that learning progresses coherently throughout schooling.
Recognise New Zealand’s bicultural (Pakeha and Maori) identity.
Reflect the multi-cultural nature of New Zealand society.
Be co-operatively designed.
Relate to the wider world.

The framework also specifies seven essential learning areas:

Language and languages
Mathematics
Science
Technology
Social sciences
The arts
Health & physical well-being.

Schools must also follow the detailed specific guidelines contained in the National Curriculum Statements for each subject at the different levels of schooling.

1.5 Eligibility for Publicly Funded Education

Publicly funded education at state primary, intermediate and secondary schools between the ages of five and 19 years is available to the following categories of residents in New Zealand:

A New Zealand citizen
The holder of a residence permit under the Immigration Act 1987
Anyone exempted from holding a residence permit under certain conditions of the Immigration Act. This category includes:
Diplomats (as defined by the Act)
Citizens of Australia, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue
Categories of people listed by the Minister of Education in the New Zealand Education Gazette, as not being classed as foreign students. This category includes:
Dependent children of holders of unexpired work permits
Foreign students studying under an approved exchange scheme.

Similar criteria apply to eligibility on applying for tertiary student loans and allowances, although there is some variation with regard to the dependent children of work permit holders. Children and partners of work permit holders will be required to pay international student fees at tertiary institutions.

To attend school or a tertiary institution in New Zealand for longer than three months, a student permit is required for those holding visitor’s permits. We recommend children and partners of work permit holders who intend to study here apply for their student visa/permit at the same time as the associated work visa/permit. Otherwise, you will need to convert the visitor’s permit to a student permit.

Dependents of those entering New Zealand on a visitor’s visa, may be admitted to a primary or secondary school, without paying fees, for up to 28 consecutive days at the discretion of the Principal, and beyond this period with the approval of the Secretary of Education.

School-aged dependents of those adults entering on student visas are not entitled to free education, and must pay full fees at primary and secondary schools.

Many state-funded and private schools accept international students who do not qualify for state-funded education on a fee-paying basis.

2. Types of Schools

2.1 Definitions

“Pre-school” refers to early childhood education. Early childhood education for children under 6 years old is non-compulsory ( note that most New Zealand children start school at 5 years), and available through kindergartens, playcentres, kohanga reo and childcare centres.

These organisations are generally licensed private organisations, receiving some government funding, but also charging some fees to students.

“Primary” covers Year 1 (J1) through Year 8 (Form Two), (ie generally from age 5 years through age 12 years). Some schools cover only to Year 6 (Standard 4).

“Intermediate” covers Years 7 & 8 (Forms One & Two) only.

“Secondary” covers Year 9 (Third Form) through Year 13 (Seventh Form), (ie generally from age 12 or 13 years through to age 17 years).

2.2 School Year Classifications

The following table shows how the new classification of school years corresponds to the older terminology which is still commonly used:

Age	Current Classification	Old Classification
5	Year 1	Primary	J1
6	Year 2		J2
7	Year 3		Standard One
8	Year 4		Standard Two
9	Year 5		Standard Three
10	Year 6		Standard Four
11	Year 7	Intermediate	Standard Five (Form One)
12	Year 8		Standard Six (Form Two)
13	Year 9	Secondary	Form Three
14	Year 10		Form Four
15	Year 11		Form Five
16	Year 12		Form Six
17	Year 13		Form Seven (Bursary Level)

2.3 State Schools

“Free” education is provided in “state” primary and secondary schools to New Zealand citizens, Permanent Residents, and other eligible students (see Section 2 above).

State schools will normally charge an activity fee or request a donation per child (usually under $200 but can be as high as $740), and may also charge for stationery, additional activities, sports and resources. The activity fee is not compulsory but schools normally expect that those who can afford it will pay it.

State schools are generally co-educational (boys and girls) at primary and intermediate level, but may be single-sex at secondary level.

State primary schools do not generally have a uniform. Most state secondary schools do have a uniform, although some do not. Uniform costs vary but can be as much as $1800 at some private schools. State school uniform costs average about $400.

Primary schools do not usually have on-site canteen facilities and children normally take their own packed lunch to school. There may be an ordering facility for catered school lunches but this is not always offered on a daily basis. At secondary schools there is usually some type of canteen or tuck shop, but many students take their own lunch. Hot meals are not common.

State schools that are subject to overcrowding may operate an enrolment scheme. They must define a geographical “home zone”, whereby children living in the designated area are entitled to enrol at the school at any time, and ballots are operated to allocate any available “out-of-zone” places. Priority for out-of-zone places are :

Students applying to enrol in an approved special programme
Siblings of current students
Siblings of former students
Children of employees of the board of the school
Other students

Details of individual school zones are available at www.schoolzones.co.nz, however we recommend you check with the school directly to confirm the information.

Schools are required to provide places for students who come to live in their home zone during the year, however some schools may require students to wait until the beginning of term to enrol. At secondary schools where spaces are limited, this may restrict the course options of students. Schools with enrolment schemes will require evidence of your residential address (e.g. a lease agreement or rates bill or electricity bill in your name) and your immigration status (i.e. your work or residence permit and your child’s student or visitor permit) before enrolling your child. Schools will often conduct checks during the school year to ensure children are resident in the zone. If you wish your child to attend a certain state school, check the zone boundaries with the school before renting or purchasing a property.

Some primary schools that go only to Year 6 are also deemed “contributing schools”, whereby they feed pupils to a certain intermediate school. It is thus important when choosing schools and residential areas to consider the ongoing education requirements of your children, if you wish them to attend state rather than private schools.

Some state secondary schools offer boarding facilities.

Kura kaupapa Maori are state schools where the whole curriculum is taught in the Maori language.

2.4 Integrated & Private Schools

Integrated and private schools are available as an alternative, but these charge much higher fees than state schools.

Integrated schools are schools that used to be private but have now integrated with the state system. They operate with their own particular characteristics (e.g. a Catholic orientation), but now receive state funding. Typically fees are lower at the integrated schools than at the private schools, where annual fees may be as much as $13,000 in Wellington, and up to $18,000 in Auckland.

Private schools generally have a uniform, which is compulsory. Uniform costs vary, but can be as much as $1,800 to outfit a student.

Some private schools offer boarding facilities, which may be full boarding or just week-day boarding.

2.5 Selecting a School

The choice of schools is a very individual decision. Elemensa can provide advice as to the location and reputation of particular schools for academic quality, school culture, sporting opportunities, and education in the arts.

New Zealand is an egalitarian society that prides itself on making opportunities available to all. We tend to judge adults on their ability and performance, not on what school they attended. In a 2004 survey of 20 of New Zealand’s leading corporate chief executives, only four of them had attended “prestigious” private schools, and most had attended state schools. In 2004, four of the Education and Scholarship Trust’s top six students nationally were from state schools, and two were from private schools.

The Education Review Office prepares and publishes reports on all individual schools, which are available from ERO. ERO also produces some excellent general publications on school selection and assessment. Their booklets, “Choosing a School for a Five Year Old” and “Choosing a Secondary School”, contain handy checklists and sets of questions to ask, that could apply to selecting a school for a child at any age. ERO school reports and booklets can be downloaded from the ERO website, www.ero.govt.nz.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority provides statistical school profiles regarding national qualification results on its website, www.nzqa.govt.nz.

Every school must have a charter, and most have a prospectus. Ask to see these and the latest ERO report for the school before deciding on a school.

Note the comments in paragraph 3.3 above regarding school home zones, and residential criteria for enrolment at state schools.

3. Rights and Responsibilities

3.1 Rights

State schools cannot ask for tuition fees, but generally request voluntary donations to cover additional activities and resources, and may charge for school trips, etc. These vary from school to school. Fees are charged for certain national examinations at secondary level, and these are mandatory.

You may ask for your child to be released during school hours for special reasons such as medical appointments, etc.

You may ask for your child to be excused from classes in religious instruction or sex education.

3.2 Responsibilities

As a parent, you are legally responsible for ensuring that your child attends school from the age of 6 years through to their 16^th birthday.

If for any reason your child cannot attend school on a particular day, you must notify the school of this.

Your child must comply with any policies the school sets in place to cover the wearing of uniforms, dress codes, behaviour, homework, etc.

The school may discipline your child by withdrawing privileges, setting extra work, keeping a child in after school (detention), etc. Physical punishment of children in schools is not allowed by law in New Zealand.

3.3 Parental Involvement

New Zealand parents are strongly encouraged to become involved with their child’s education and their school. You can participate by standing for the Board of Trustees (if you meet the criteria), on Parent Teacher association committees, by being a parent-help at the school, by attending school camps and other activities, by assisting with fund-raising activities, attending parent-teacher meetings, supporting your child at sporting and cultural events, etc.

Many new arrivals find this participation an excellent way to meet people in their local area.

4. Assessment and School Qualifications

4.1 Assessment

Formal assessment of children’s progress takes place at key points in their education, usually on entry (Year 1), and at the start of Year 7 and Year 9.

Schools are expected to report to parents regularly, normally by way of written reports and scheduled parent-teacher meetings. Parents can always ask to meet with the teacher to discuss their child.

4.2 Qualifications – NCEA

The new National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) has been introduced progressively from 2002.

The purpose of NCEA is to provide a qualification system that will recognise and report a broad range of achievement. It is a system of internal and external assessment in 7 curriculum areas, (Language & Languages, Mathematics, Science, Technology,

Social Sciences, Health & Physical Well-being, and The Arts), conducted at three levels, and directed at 16-19 year olds.

NCEA is achievement-based, according to national standards. Each student will receive a certificate when they have achieved a range of standards, and earn credits toward their NCEA qualification. Standards can be achieved at three levels – Achieved, Merit or Excellence.

In each area of learning, different aspects of skill, knowledge and understanding are assessed and reported separately. For example, in Mathematics, a student could achieve Merit in one topic, Algebra, but the lesser achievement of Achieved in Geometry.

The three NCEA qualifications are:

Level 1: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 1 standards. 8 credits must be in prescribed literacy standards and 8 credits must be in prescribed numeracy standards. Level 1 NCEA replaces School Certificate for Year 11 students.

Level 2: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 2 standards. Level 2 NCEA replaces Sixth Form Certificate for Year 12 students.

Level 3: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 3 standards. Level 3 NCEA replaces Bursary for Year 13 students.

There is also a Scholarship Award, achieved by passing additional examinations based on Level 3 standards.

Entrance to university will require a set number of Level 3 credits, and tertiary education providers will use NCEA results for entry selection.

For further information, see www.nzqa.govt.nz.

Some schools are offering international qualifications such as Cambridge A levels and International Baccalaureate in addition to, or instead of, NCEA. Private national scholarship examinations may also be sat by the top performing students in Year 13.

4.3 Previous School Qualifications

Until 2001, students in Years 11-13 took the following national qualifications:

School Certificate

School Certificate was sat by students in 2001 for the last time. School Certificate examinations were taken by most students at the end of three years of secondary education (5^th form or Year 11).

This qualification equated to British GCSE (Grades A-E), GCE at O Level, Canadian or US Grade 10, and Australian Year 10 awards.

Sixth Form Certificate

This certificate was awarded on a per subject basis after a satisfactory course of study at sixth form (Year 12) level. It was awarded for the last time in 2002. Most students took 5 or 6 subjects, and English must be studied. All subjects are internally assessed.

This qualification equated to Canadian or US Grade 11.

Higher School Certificate

This was awarded to students who had satisfactorily completed five years of full-time secondary schooling. There was no examination and grades were not awarded.

University Entrance, Bursary and Scholarship Examinations

These examinations were usually taken at the end of the 7^th Form (Year 13). Marks and grades were awarded. To gain entrance to university, Higher School Certificate plus at least 3 grades of C or better were required. Bursaries and scholarships were awarded for higher performance, and these provided small cash payments.

These qualifications equated to British GCSE A levels, and Australian Year 12 awards.

These qualifications were awarded for the last time in 2003.

5. School Opening Hours and Holidays

5.1 School Opening Hours

Primary schools are required to open for at least 394 half-days each year and secondary schools for at least 380 half-days.

School opening times will vary, but most primary schools operate from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and secondary schools operate for approximately half an hour longer each day. New Zealand schools do not normally open on Saturdays and Sundays, although sporting and cultural events, and other activities may be scheduled on these days.

The following dates are the official state school terms as published by the Ministry of Education. Private schools and many state schools often vary their term dates from the official school terms. You will need to check with your school to verify actual dates, and dates for any mid-term breaks.

5.2 New Zealand School Terms

New Zealand School Terms 2010

Term One	A date between February 2 and February 5 – April 1 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Two	April 19 – July 2 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Three	July 19 – September 24 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Four	October 11 – no later than December 20 (Primary & Intermediate)

Secondary	October 11 – December 14

New Zealand School Terms 2011

Term One	A date between January 31 and February 7 – April 15 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Two	May 2 – July 15 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Three	August 1 – September 7 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)

Term Four	October 25 – no later than December 20 (Primary & Intermediate)

Secondary	October 25 – December 13

6. Tertiary Education

There are seven universities (at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North/Wellington, Wellington, Christchurch (2) and Dunedin), five teachers’ colleges, and 25 polytechnics in New Zealand. In addition there are many private training establishments and industry training organisations (ITOs).

The Open Polytechnic and Massey University offer distance learning programmes.

All universities will offer core arts, science and commerce courses, and specialise in certain other fields.

Most major tertiary institutions receive some public funding from government, but students are still charged significant fees. International students who do not qualify for state-subsidised tertiary education are charged higher fees than students who do qualify.

Student allowances and student loans are available to assist with funding students through their tertiary education. Information on these is available from tertiary institutions, or from the Ministry of Education, Student Loans and Allowances Division.

7. Educational Facilities in Wellington

Refer to Elemensa “Welcome to Wellington” guide for details of public and private educational institutions in the Wellington area.

7.1 Primary and Intermediate Schools

Most suburbs in the Wellington region will have at least one local state primary school, which will be co-educational. Some primary schools may only go up to Year 6, with children attending a local intermediate school or a private or integrated alternative for Years 7 & 8.

Some state schools with full rolls have enrolment schemes, whereby their intake is restricted based on criteria such as residential zoning, and entry is not guaranteed to students who do not live in the “home zone”. The Lower Hutt area, in particular, is affected by residential zoning criteria, which also affects the intermediate and secondary school that children move onto after primary school.

There are also several state-integrated and private primary schools which may be co-educational or single-sex. These schools generally have a special character, such as a particular religious or educational philosophy, and they charge fees. Most have uniforms.

7.2 Secondary Schools

There are 34 state and private secondary schools in the Wellington area. Of these, 16 are co-educational state colleges, 2 are girls-only state colleges, 2 are boys-only state colleges, 9 are state-integrated Christian schools (1 co-ed, 4 for girls & 4 for boys), 3 are girls-only private schools,1 is a boys-only private school, and there is 1 Rudolf Steiner school.

Many state secondary schools offer adult learning programmes and evening community education programmes.

7.3 Tertiary Institutions

In New Zealand, universities provide academic and professional degree courses, and polytechnics provide a range of academic, vocational and professional training through to degree level in some cases.

Wellington is home to two universities (Victoria University of Wellington, located in Kelburn and at some sites in the city, and Massey University (incorporating Wellington Polytechnic), located in the central city). There are also two polytechnics (Whitireia, located in Porirua, and Wellington Institute of Technology in Petone, Lower Hutt), and a teacher training college (operated by Victoria University and located in Karori).

The Open Polytechnic (based in Lower Hutt) and Massey University in Palmerston North also offer extra-mural (distance learning) degree and diploma courses.

8. Educational Facilities in Auckland

8.1 Primary and Intermediate Schools

Most suburbs in the Auckland region will have at least one local state primary school, which will be co-educational. Some primary schools may only go up to Year 6, with children attending a local intermediate school or a private or integrated alternative for Years 7 & 8.

Many state schools with full rolls have enrolment schemes, whereby their intake is restricted based on criteria such as residential zoning, and entry is not guaranteed to students who do not live in the “home zone”.

8.2 Secondary Schools

There are more than 80 state and private secondary schools in the Auckland area. Of these, more than half are co-educational state colleges. There are several single-sex state colleges. There are also state-integrated Christian schools (many are Roman Catholic) and several private schools (predominantly Christian, and single-sex, although there are co-educational alternatives, and some schools are co-educational in senior classes).

Some private schools offer international qualifications such as International Baccalaurate and Cambridge A Levels instead of, or in addition to, the New Zealand NCEA qualifications. For this reason it is difficult to make straight comparisons between schools on the basis of qualification results.

There are also special character schools, with emphasis on a particular culture or philosophy, such as Maori, Rudolph Steiner etc.

Boarding facilities are available at some schools.

Many state secondary schools offer adult learning programmes and evening community education programmes.

8.3 Tertiary Institutions

Auckland is home to three universities providing a range of academic and professional degree courses – Auckland University, located near the city centre, Auckland University of Technology, also centrally located, and Massey University, which operates a campus north of the city at Albany and also offers extra-mural courses.

There are two polytechnics providing technical and vocational training through to degree level in some cases – Unitec Institute of Technology, which is located in Mt Albert, and Manukau Institute of Technology, which is in South Auckland. There are also many private training providers.

9. Contacts & References

9.1 Agencies

Ministry of Education, National Office

PO Box 1666, Wellington 04 463 8000

Education Review Office, Corporate Office

PO Box 2799, Wellington 04 499 2489

New Zealand Qualifications Authority

PO Box 160, Wellington 04 802 3000

9.2 Publications

“Schooling in New Zealand – A Guide”

Ministry of Education (available from Internet site, see below)

“Tertiary Education and Training in New Zealand”

Ministry of Education

“Choosing a School for a Five Year Old”

“Choosing a Secondary School”

9.3 Education Review Office (available from Internet site, see below)

“A Guide to 300+ New Zealand Secondary Schools”

Cheryl Lilly (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998)

9.4 Internet Sites

Ministry of Education, information and publications.

www.minedu.govt.nz

New Zealand Qualifications Authority site. Includes information on qualifications and results for individual schools.

www.nzqa.govt.nz

Education Review Office, publications and reports to assist school selection.

www.ero.govt.nz

Interactive network between schools and Ministry of Education.

www.schoolsnet.ac.nz

New Zealand Educational International Limited – provides information for overseas students.

www.nzeil.co.nz

10. Glossary

Co-educational		= Co-ed, both sexes attend
ERO		Education Review Office
Integrated school		Partially publicly funded school, with some fees applicable.
Intermediate school		School that caters for years 7 & 8 only
Kindergarten		Pre-school, generally for 3 to 4 year olds. Can be state-subsidised or private. Offers 20 hours p/w of free childcare to all 3 and 4 year olds
Kohanga Reo		Maori language pre-school
Kura Kaupapa Maor		Maori language school
NCEA		National Certificate of Educational Achievement
Primary school		School that caters for years 1 through 6 or 8
Private school		Non-publicly funded school where students pay fees to attend
Secondary school		= College, school that caters for years 9 through 13
State school		Publicly funded, “free” school

11. Table of Contents

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