An Overview of Education in New Zealand
- Early Childhood Education (ECE): From birth to school entry age (not compulsory).
- Primary and Secondary Education: From 5 to 19 years of age. (Schooling is compulsory from age 6 to 16).
- Tertiary: typically from age 18-19 years but can be from 16. Check individual universities for enrolment criteria.
- Education and Care Centres (ECE): These centres cater to children from birth to school age, offering full-day or part-day care with a structured learning environment.
- Kindergartens: Usually provide sessions for children aged 2 to 5 years, focusing on play-based learning and development.
- Home-Based Care: Caregivers look after a small number of children (up to four) in a home setting, providing personalised and flexible care.
- Playcentres: Parent-led cooperative centres where parents are involved in their children's education and care, focusing on child-led play and learning.
- Kohanga Reo: Maori-language early childhood centres that immerse children in Te Reo Maori and Maori culture.
- Punanga Reo: Similar to Kohanga Reo, but for Pacific Island languages and cultures
- ECE Centres: Hourly Rates: Typically range from NZD 6 to NZD 12 per hour / Full-Day Rates: Usually between NZD 40 and NZD 90 per day.
- Home-Based Childcare: hourly rates are generally more affordable, ranging from NZD 5 to NZD 10 per hour.
- Kindergartens: Hourly Rates are around NZD 3 to NZD 8 per hour for children not receiving 20-Hours ECE funding.
- Playcentres: Term Fees: On average, around NZD 30 per term.
- 20-Hours: The government provides a subsidy for up to 20 hours per week for children aged 3 to 5 years, which can significantly reduce costs.
- 30-Hours Subsidy: some centres offer additional hours of subsidised care
- Approximately 86% of students attend state schools.
- These schools are publicly funded and follow the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Around 10% of students attend state-integrated schools.
- These schools are integrated into the state system, follow the New Zealand curriculum, but maintain their special character, often religious or philosophical.
- About 4% of students attend private (independent) schools.
- These schools are privately funded and have more flexibility in their curriculum and governance.
- The average class size in New Zealand for primary and secondary schools is around 23.3 students, with a maximum of 30.
- The pupil-teacher ratio is approximately 1:14.
- Schools typically start around 9:00 AM and finish around 3:00 PM.
- Schools must be open for a specified number of half-days each year, with primary schools requiring between 380 and 390 half-days.
- Term 1: Late January/Early February to April.
- Term 2: May to July.
- Term 3: July to September.
- Term 4: October to December.
- Term Breaks: Approximately 2 weeks between each term.
- Summer Holidays: Around 5-6 weeks from mid-December to late January.
- Schools: Free for New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, dependent child visa holders between the ages of 5 and 19.
- Private Schools: Annual fees start at about NZD $25,000 for primary and secondary schools.
Tertiary Education
New Zealand's tertiary education system is robust, with a high participation rate among adults aged 25 and over. The country offers a range of vocational and academic programs, and its universities are well-regarded globally. New Zealanders complete initial upper-secondary education at about the same rate as the OECD average, and many transition to tertiary education. The cost of tertiary education varies for domestic (e.g., child of a residency visa holder) and international students (e.g., has dependent child of work visa holder). Here is a list New Zealand universities with links to their websites.
Domestic Students Costs (New Zealand citizens or residency visa required)
- Bachelor's Degree: Tuition fees for domestic students range from about NZD$6,000 to NZD$9,000 per year.
- Postgraduate Degree: Fees range from about NZD$7,000 to NZD$10,000 per year.
- PhDs: Domestic PhD students pay around NZD$6,500 to NZD$7,500 per year.
International Students Costs
- Bachelor's Degree: Tuition fees for international students range from about NZD$20,000 to NZD$40,000 per year, with higher fees for subjects like medicine and veterinary science.
- Postgraduate Degree: Fees range from about NZD$20,000 to NZD$45,000 per year.
- PhDs: International PhD students pay the same as domestic PhD students, which is about NZD$6,500 to NZD$7,500 per year
- Fees Free: Eligible students can receive their first year of tertiary education or training fees-free.
- Student Loans: Students can apply for a student loan to cover course fees, course-related costs, and living expenses. These loans are provided by the government and must be repaid once the student starts earning above a certain threshold.
- Student Allowances: This is a weekly payment that does not need to be repaid. It is available to eligible students to help with living costs while studying.
- Scholarships and Grants: There are various scholarships and grants available for students based on academic merit, financial need, and other criteria. These can be found through educational institutions, government agencies, and private organisations.
- Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology: Tuition fees range from around NZD$8,000 to NZD$14,000 per year.
- Private Training Establishments (PTEs): These can be more expensive, with fees ranging from NZD$10,000 to NZD$20,000 per year.
- Fees Free: This initiative covers eligible students' first year of tertiary education, including vocational training.
- Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF): This fund covers vocational education and training fees in industries experiencing skill shortages.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships**: These scholarships provide financial support for vocational training and work experience for professionals from eligible countries.
- Work and Income Support: Financial assistance is available to help new employees develop the skills needed for their jobs, including covering part of their wages and training costs.
- Work and Income Support: Financial assistance is available to help new employees develop the skills needed for their jobs, including covering part of their wages and training costs.
- Work and Income Support: Financial assistance is available to help new employees develop the skills needed for their jobs, including covering part of their wages and training costs.
- Work and Income Support: Financial assistance is available to help new employees develop the skills needed for their jobs, including covering part of their wages and training costs.
Psych-Recruitment carefully considers your family's educational needs when matching overseas psychologists to locations for employment opportunities.