Study in New Zealand

New Zealand has an excellent, world-class government funded education system, from pre-school right through to tertiary institutions. Schooling is compulsory from the ages of 6 through to 16. However, most children begin school in advance, at five years of age, and on average leave at about 18 or 19. Most New Zealand schools are co-educational – meaning they take both females and males, but there are also single sex schools. The school system in New Zealand is divided into three main sectors, the Early Childhood education sector (ages 2-5 years); the Compulsory sector (ages 5 or 6-18); and the Tertiary education and other adult learning sector (18+).

New Zealanders hold that education is every child’s birthright (regardless of gender or any other consideration), and as a result, there is regular monitoring on the standard of education offered by all schools. Both girls and boys are encouraged to reach the same high level of education through formal learning.

Be aware that you, as a new immigrant to New Zealand, may find the education system, particularly with regard to the teaching methods employed and style of discipline, very different to that you and your children may be accustomed to. In New Zealand, the emphasis is on developing a child’s self-discipline – the child’s strength of mind and will – rather than on rigid obedience to authority. The education system also focuses on a method of learning through understanding, with less memorization work than students of other countries may experience. In short, the school system aims to promote every child’s eagerness to learn.