World-class schooling on offer in Auckland

There are so many things to plan for when you’re shifting to a new city.

Once you’ve ticked off the career opportunities and the quality of life Auckland has to offer, you start to consider the practical aspects of life in a new city.  

Where will we live? How will we get around? What do we need to bring?  

And of course, where will the kids go to school?  

Ensuring that your children are happy, settled and learning will be key to adapting easily to your new life.  

Luckily for you, our education system is continually ranked as one of the best in the world.  

In 2018, New Zealand’s education system was named ‘top in world’ for preparing students for the future.  

In a recent HSBC survey of expats, over 90% of parents said that the quality of New Zealand education is 'the same' or even 'better' than at home. And 70% of them say their children are more confident and well-rounded from their time spent living in New Zealand.  

Our education system is three-tiered comprising primary, intermediate and secondary schools.  

Kiwi kids start their school life on, or shortly after, their fifth birthday and schooling is compulsory right through to their 16th birthday. The majority of students study through to the final year, Year 13 which takes them to, or just beyond, the age of 17.   

Schools are categorised as state (fully funded by the government), state integrated (formerly a private school that has now been integrated into the state system) and private (tuition fees are charged per term or year).  

Most children in New Zealand attend state schools.  

A decile system is used to define government funding for our state schools. Decile 1 schools generally draw students from low socio-economic areas and receive more funding than decile 10 schools, which draw students from more affluent areas.  

This system ensures targeted funding with the goal of achieving positive outcomes for all children. 

Choosing the right school for your children is important to their learning and wellbeing. State schools are often zoned based on where you live, meaning local children have a guaranteed place at the school.  

If a school’s roll is not full they might take out of zone enrolments, so it’s worth investigating all of the options in and around the area you’re looking to settle.  

There are lots of ways to find information about the schools that you’re considering. As a start, all New Zealand schools are reviewed at least every three years by the Education Review Office (ERO) and reports are published online.

You can also check out a school’s website to get an understanding of any fees, uniforms, whether they’re single-sex or co-educational. Websites will also give you an understanding of a school’s values, culture and whether they have any particular focus towards arts, sports or sciences.  

One of the best ways to get a feel for a school is by visiting. Schools in New Zealand encourage you to make a time to visit and see for yourself what’s on offer.  

Whichever school you decide on, you can be confident that the quality of education your children will receive in Auckland will be world-class.  

Auckland is a great place to live and the job market is booming, follow us on LinkedIn for more information and job opportunities.  

We look forward to welcoming talent back to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The New Zealand Government’s plan is to safely reopen our borders in stages, allowing people to travel to and from Aotearoa New Zealand. Visit immigration.govt.nz to find out what this means for you.