Can We Homeschool in New Zealand?

We have recently decided to start with our homeschooling journey in New Zealand (this would be the same no matter where we lived in the world). I have seen on some of the Homeschooling groups that there is quite a lot of interest in people who are currently home educating their kids overseas and want to know if they can continue to do so once they move to NZ. This advice also applies if you are currently residing in NZ. So let’s get you started.

Can I Homeschool my Child in New Zealand?

The simple answer is, yes. However, you might need to get a ‘Home Education Exemption Certificate’ before you can start.

What is a Home Education Exemption Certificate?

This is a legal document which gives your child permission to be removed from school and be educated at home. The certificate includes a homeschool number specific to your family and is granted by the Ministry of Education.

Does my Child Need an Exemption?

In New Zealand, if you wish to home educate a child who has domestic student status and is aged between 6-15 (inclusive), you will legally need to complete a home education application.

Children in NZ don’t legally have to start education until their 6th birthday. You can homeschool a child younger than 6, but if you intend to never send your child to school and they are 5, you will need to start preparing your application and submit it, ideally at least 12 weeks before their 6th birthday, so it can be approved ready to start on the day your child turns 6.

You can choose to home educate a child 16+, but you don’t need an exemption and if you don’t start your homeschool journey until this age, you won’t be able to claim the homeschool annual allowance.

If your child is already in school in New Zealand, you are legally required to keep them in school until the home education exemption is granted (some exceptions do apply, please contact your Ministry of Education Regional Office to discuss individual cases).

You do not need an exemption if your child is attending an online school, a private school, or an alternative school (eg. a Montessori or Steiner school).

How Long is the Exemption Valid For?

Your homeschool exemption, once granted, is valid until your child turns 19, or until they return to school. If your child wishes to try school in the future, there is a 10 week grace period. If they continue to remain in school, this includes online schools, after the 10 weeks has passed, your exemption is no longer valid and you would need to reapply if you wished to return to home education at a later date.

Will our Homeschool Learning be Monitored?

At the time of writing, only a small number of families are reviewed by ERO (Educational Review Office) each year and this is currently based on having a complaint logged and then unsatisfactorily responding to a request for details. Twice every year, you will be sent a declaration to sign and return stating that you are continuing to offer an education to your child/ren which is at least as adequate and frequent as they would receive in school. It’s worth completing these as then you are able to receive the homeschool allowance twice a year. Of course, this may change in the future.

What is the Homeschool Allowance?

Twice a year, around June and November, an annual allowance is paid to whānau (families) who home educate. The current annual amounts are:

• $796 for your first child

• $677 for your second child

• $557 for your third child

• $398 for each subsequent child.

What does the Home Education Application Require from Me?

A lot more than I expected! Coming from the UK, where you just contact the school in writing to say you are withdrawing your child, this was a surprise. When I first heard that I had to submit an application, I assumed it was a simple declaration, but I was wrong. I highly advised, if you think you may wish to home educate your child in the next year, you spend time researching ASAP. The ‘Home Education Application’ requires you to:

• Explain your homeschool philosophy/approach.

• Detail how you will meet the requirement to teach at least as well as a registered school (including a broad curriculum).

• Present your short term educational goals for the next 12 months of your child’s home education journey and explain how you will know if you have met them.

• Explain your long term vision and goals for your child’s education.

• Present a detailed description of a project or topic plan you will do, or have already done.

• Clarify how you will meet the requirement to teach at least as regularly as a registered school.

• Additional, relevant information about your child and your family.

Don’t panic! Yes, it sounds overwhelming and intensive, but you are not alone. There are plenty of resources and a kind, welcoming community here in NZ to support you. You can choose to have someone complete the application form for you and recommendations can be found in the Homeschooling New Zealand Facebook group.

Curriculum and Qualification Options Available in New Zealand

Here, in New Zealand, students in state school will follow the NZ Curriculum and take NCEA exams. Some schools in NZ also have the option to sit either the IB or Cambridge exams.

For home educators, you can choose to follow the NZ curriculum, but you don’t have to. You can choose your own curriculum and a home education approach that works for you and your family - there is plenty of choice out there, including: Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Waldorf, Unschooling, Classical, Eclectic, School at Home.

If you wish for your homeschooled child to sit a formal qualification in New Zealand they currently have a choice between:

• NCEA

• Cambridge

• GED & SATs

• Christian Education New Zealand (CENZ)

• Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)

Finding, Completing, and Submitting the Home Education Application

When, you are ready to apply, the current application is found on the Ministry of Education website, along with additional guidance documentation. You may complete the form itself, or you can complete section 1 on the form and then answer the longer questions with a attachment, such as a Word Document. I actually found that I couldn’t complete all the boxes on the form in section 1, so I wrote all of the information into a Word document and completed what I could of section 1 on the form. All my longer responses were also on the Word document attached to my application email.

Once you are ready to submit your application form, including the additional identity documents as requested at the start of the form, email (or post) all the information to your Regional Office. They will contact you (within a few days) to confirm they have received your application and it has been assigned to a Senior Education Advisor. At a similar time, they will also contact your child’s school (if applicable). If you have any concerns or would like to know more about what they ask the school, contact your Regional Office for advice. Your application will then be reviewed and if required additional information may be requested. You should have a response within 4-8 weeks (although at busy periods this can be up to 12 weeks in some regions).

I hope I have helped you understand the process of applying for the home education exemption. If you have any further questions come and join our Auckland Community Membership, book a 1:1 Relocation Call or follow our blog for more home education content.