Primary Schools

School is compulsory for all children in New Zealand from the age of six to 16. Usually children start school when they turn five.

For the first few years, until they’re around 13, children attend primary school. In many urban areas, the last two years of primary education take place at an intermediate school. Every student has the right to enrol at the school nearest their home.

The emphasis in primary school education is to provide a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy and an introduction to a broad and balanced curriculum.

Primary and intermediate schools are usually co-educational and school rolls range from 10 to over 2,000 pupils. Some primary schools require children to wear a uniform which is usually practical play-wear for young children such as shorts and a monogrammed t-shirt.

Teachers are all required to be registered by the New Zealand Teachers Council (NZTC) which ensures a minimum quality standard is applied to all teachers. It also considers a teacher’s experience, character, qualifications and police record.

The quality of New Zealand’s primary education is monitored by the Education Review Office which assesses each school every three years and publishes reports on:

• the quality of education provided for students
• specific aspects of schooling and early childhood education
• regional and national educational issues
• the quality of management by school boards of trustees and
• the education of students exempted from attending school, ie home-school students.

All ERO reports are freely available to the public at www.ero.govt.nz.

Find a school
To find a school near where you are considering living, click here.