New Zealand Government
New Zealand Government | Te Kawanatanga o Aotearoa
Note:

For everything you need to know about COVID-19, go to covid19.govt.nz

Unite against COVID-19

  1. Home /
  2. Education

Education

  • Learning English

    Find an English language course, and check English requirements for NZ visas and citizenship.

  • Help paying for early childhood education

    All 3, 4 and 5-year-olds can get free early childhood education for up to 6 hours a day, up to 20 hours a week.

  • School and college

    • 2021 school terms and holidays

      2021 school term dates for New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools.

    • 2022 school terms and holidays

      2022 school term dates for New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools.

    • 2023 school terms and holidays

      2023 school term dates for New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools.

    • School fees and donations

      It’s free to go to a state school — but the school can ask for donations towards their running costs.

    • School zones, reviews and decile ratings

      Find out if you live in a school’s zone, how the school is performing and what level of government funding it gets.

    • How to enrol your child at school in NZ

      You can enrol your child in school before they’re 5, though they won’t start until they turn 5. Your child must start school by the time they turn 6. And must stay in school until they’re 16. Enrolling in primary school is similar to enrolling in college.

  • Learning support (special education)

    • Education for children with a physical disability or illness

      Government help is available to educate children with a physical disability or illness.

    • Help for children with behaviour problems

      Programmes for schools, teachers and parents to help children with behaviour and learning problems.

    • Help for children with learning support needs

      Funding, services and support available to help children with disabilities and learning support needs go to mainstream schools.

  • Tertiary education

    • Money to help when you’re studying

      If you’re studying, you can apply for a loan and allowance to help with course fees, course-related costs and living expenses. You may also be able to get help during your study break.

    • Paying back your student loan

      Repayments will come out of your pay automatically once you earn over $20,020 a year. You can also make extra payments whenever you like.

    • Education scholarships, grants and awards

      Find out if you can get money to help pay for your education.

  • Training and apprenticeships

    • Apprenticeships

      With an apprenticeship, you can earn money while getting skills and qualifications.

    • Training while you work

      Continue to broaden your skills while working. You can become better at your job, increase your chance for a promotion or change your career entirely.

  • Coming to study in NZ

    Make sure you're prepared when you're coming to NZ to study.

Contact NZ government

  • A-Z of government agencies
  • If you're not sure who to contact

About this website

  • About Govt.nz
  • The scope of Govt.nz
  • Feedback about Govt.nz

Using this website

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy
  • Copyright

Back to top

New Zealand Government New Zealand Government

Crown Copyright 2021

Creative Commons 4.0 International Licence

Unless indicated otherwise, all content on Govt.nz is licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons 4.0 International Licence