MADE FOR FAMILIES IN NEW ZEALAND
Home education in New Zealand, planned for you
Tell Kuraplan your children's ages and what New Zealand expects. It writes lessons, worksheets and the records you need, in the language of the New Zealand Curriculum.
Home education in New Zealand: the rules, the registration and a plan that works
In New Zealand, children aged six to sixteen must be enrolled at a registered school unless the Ministry of Education grants a Certificate of Exemption. You apply for the exemption by showing the child will be taught 'at least as regularly and well as in a registered school'; once granted, it lasts until the child turns sixteen, and the family receives a supervision allowance twice a year. There is no required curriculum, no testing and no inspection.
The exemption application is the whole process, and it is worth doing well. This guide covers what the Ministry looks for, the allowance ($796 for the first child in 2026), the twice-yearly declaration, and pathways to NCEA.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Informational, not legal advice. Verify with Ministry of Education: home education before acting.
Step by step
How to start home education in New Zealand
- 1
Apply for a Certificate of Exemption
Submit the application to your regional Ministry office for each child aged six or over (or before their sixth birthday if they will not attend school). Describe your curriculum and approach, the resources, how you will structure the week, how you will assess progress, and how you will provide for the child's social needs. The Ministry aims to decide within four to six weeks; the child must attend school until it is granted unless they are under six.
- 2
Receive the exemption and allowance
The exemption is open-ended to age sixteen. The supervision allowance is paid in two instalments (about June and November) after you return the six-monthly declaration confirming home education continues.
- 3
Teach
No curriculum, hours or testing requirements. The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are optional references. The ERO no longer reviews home educators routinely.
- 4
Plan NCEA if wanted
Home-educated students can gain NCEA through Te Kura (the Correspondence School, free for exempt students in many cases), through a school by arrangement, or via other qualifications; university entry is also possible via alternative routes.
New Zealand requirements at a glance
Legal basis: Education and Training Act 2020 (NZ) s.38 (certificate of exemption).
- Exemption
- Certificate of Exemption from the Ministry of Education required for children 6–16; application must show teaching 'as regularly and well as' a school.
- Curriculum
- None prescribed.
- Hours
- None set; 'as regularly' is judged on the application's description.
- Assessment
- None. Six-monthly declaration that home education continues.
- Records
- Not required, but keep some in case the Ministry enquires.
Dates to put on your calendar
- Apply before the child turns six if they will not attend school, or as soon as you decide to withdraw (the child must attend until the exemption is granted).
- Six-monthly declarations, around May and November, to receive the allowance.
Curriculum
The New Zealand Curriculum (and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa) as an optional reference. Many families map their plan loosely to its learning areas in the exemption application.
Assessment
None. Six-monthly declaration to keep the allowance.
Funding
Supervision allowance (2026): $796 a year for the first child, $677 for the second, $557 for the third, $398 for each further child, paid in two instalments on return of the declaration.
Plan it with Kuraplan
Turn the rules into a week that works
Kuraplan knows the New Zealand Curriculum. Tell it your children's ages and it builds lessons, worksheets and the plan or report your Ministry of Education paperwork asks for.
Plans in New Zealand Curriculum terms
Learning plans, program summaries and progress reports written in the vocabulary your regulator expects, ready to edit and submit.
Lessons for every child at once
One family topic, output at each child's level: a drawing task, a paragraph, an essay. Printables included.
Records without the scramble
Keep completed work together so the annual review, report or portfolio is a summary, not a reconstruction.
One lesson. All your kids.
$49/yr flat, no per-child fees
Write one family lesson, then adjust the reading level, the practice and the response format for each child without rebuilding the day.
New Zealand home education FAQ
How do I get a homeschool exemption in NZ?
Apply to the Ministry of Education for a Certificate of Exemption for each child aged six to sixteen. The application must show you will teach the child as regularly and well as a registered school: your curriculum and approach, resources, weekly structure, assessment and social provision. Decisions take about four to six weeks.
How much is the NZ home education allowance?
In 2026 the supervision allowance is $796 a year for the first child, $677 for the second, $557 for the third and $398 for each subsequent child, paid in two instalments after you return the six-monthly declaration.
Do I have to follow the New Zealand Curriculum?
No. It is a useful reference and many families describe their plan in its terms for the exemption application, but there is no requirement to follow it or to test.
Does ERO review home educators?
Not routinely any more. The Ministry may enquire if it has concerns, but there are no scheduled reviews or inspections.
How do home-educated students get NCEA?
Through Te Kura (the Correspondence School), which enrols exempt students, through a school by arrangement, or by other qualifications; university entry is possible via NCEA, Cambridge or discretionary entrance.
Informational, not legal advice. Rules and forms change; verify with Ministry of Education: home education before acting. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
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