New Zealand public school guide

How to choose a public school

• Zoned schools: automatic right in zone

  Some state schools have an enrolment scheme with a home zone. Living in zone gives an automatic right to enrol; out-of-zone places go by ballot, and temporary moves into a zone are not allowed.

  Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-31)

• Domestic or international status comes first

  Every student enrols as domestic or international; some parent visas make a child domestic.

  Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

  Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-29)

Reading official ratings

• ERO reports have no overall grade

  ERO reports make judgements by area (attendance, achievement, progress and more) and give no single grade. The format changed in 2026 and older reports remain, so check the date.

  Source:Education Review Office (ERO) (checked 2026-10-31)

English support

• Ask the school about English support

  English language (ESOL) support differs by school; ask at enrolment.

  General guidance · confirm with the district or school

Timeline

• Out-of-zone ballot dates

  Remaining places are usually advertised in September. Auckland 2026: secondary and intermediate closed 2 Sep, ballot 9 Sep; primary closed 14 Oct, ballot 21 Oct.

  Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-31)

Fees and visas

• International students pay fees

  Citizens, residence-class visa holders and children of some student and work visa holders are domestic; others are fee-paying international students, and the school must be a Code of Practice signatory.

  Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

  Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-29)Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-30)

Enrolment steps

Follow them in order. Each step carries its official source and the date we checked it.

1. 1

   Check domestic or international status

   Check first whether the parents' visas make the child domestic or international; the Ministry answers eligibility questions.

   Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

   Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-29)Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-30)

2. 2

   Check the school's zone

   Check whether the school has an enrolment scheme and whether the address is in its home zone.

   Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-31)

3. 3

   In zone enrol; out of zone apply for the ballot

   In zone, enrol directly; out of zone, apply by the school's advertised deadline and wait for the ballot.

   Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-31)

4. 4

   Gather documents

   Schools commonly ask for proof of address, identity and age (passport), visas, immunisation records and previous school records; follow the school's list.

   General guidance · confirm with the district or school

5. 5

   International: fees and the Code

   International students pay the school's fees; check the school is a Code of Practice signatory.

   Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

   Source:Ministry of Education New Zealand (checked 2026-10-29)

This page organises official information. It does not decide eligibility or placement.

Districts by state or region

• All of New Zealand87 districts