Get an Education in New Zealand

New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. It has a progressive education system with many state of the art facilities. It offers a safe learning environment with excellent study opportunities and support services for international students.

Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at New Zealand institutions - universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training establishments.

New Zealand produces top graduates who can take their place with confidence in the international arena in many disciplines. Sir Ernest Rutherford, who first split the atom, and Dr Bryan Barrett-Boyes, prominent international heart surgeon, are but two examples of the calibre of New Zealand graduates.

English is the prime language of instruction in teaching and discussion and this enables New Zealand qualifications to be recognized in English-speaking countries like the United States and Australia.

International students can should choose their course wisely and keep in mind their future career preferences and personal expectations.

Read more about the quality and standards of education in New Zealand

Tertiary Education in New Zealand

Tertiary Education in New Zealand

The New Zealand tertiary education sector includes about 550 private education and training providers( including English schools), 16 polytechnics & institutes of technology, wananga (Maori learning centres), colleges of education and 8 universities.

To safeguard the quality and reputation of New Zealand tertiary education, the New Zealand government guarantees that all courses and qualifications offered at state institutions meet the minimum quality assurance standards.

Secondary School

Secondary School in New Zealand

Students aged between 13 and 19 attend Secondary School, school years are year 9 to 13 with years 11 to 13 for students working towards their National Certificate of Educational Achievement or NCEA.

There are three different types of Secondary Schools available in New Zealand, Government Schools, Private Schools and Integrated Schools. The difference is that Government schools are funded by the New Zealand Government, Private schools are privately funded and Integrated schools are half funded by the New Zealand Government. Schools may be single-sex schools or coeducational.

The school year runs in 4 terms, and from February to mid-December. There are three-term breaks which are usually a 2 week holiday, these holidays are in April, July and September.

Intermediate School

Intermediate School Education in New Zealand

Intermediate schools are a bridge between primary school and secondary school. In New Zealand only two non-state intermediate schools exist. Government funded primary and  secondary schools offer the intermediate program.

Find out more about school in New Zealand.

Primary School

Primary School in New Zealand

Primary schooling is for children of the the ages of 5-10 in Years 1 - 6. They progress onto intermediate school in Year 7 and then secondary in year 9. Primary school students study the main subjects aligned with the New Zealand National Curriculum : English, the arts, health and physical education, languages, mathematics and statistics, science, social sciences and technology.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

New Zealand has more than 4000 licensed early childhood education services available, including kindergartens, childcare centres, play centres, home-based care and playgroups. These facilities provide education and care for children before they are old enough to start primary school.

Education in New Zealand

Education Providers New Zealand

New Zealand Education Providers

The sectors of Education in New Zealand

Academic Year New Zealand

Education Costs in New Zealand