Starting school in New Zealand: school age and school zones

Ministry of EducationVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

Most children in New Zealand start primary school from their 5th birthday. Children aged 6 to 16 must go to school or be home educated. Many schools have a home zone. If you live in the zone, your child is guaranteed a place. If you live outside it, you can apply, and if there are not enough places the school holds a ballot. Domestic students do not pay fees at state schools, and school donations are voluntary.

Key facts

Starting age: Most children start school from their 5th birthday. You can enrol your child with the school before they turn 5.¹
Compulsory school age: Children aged 6 to 16 must go to school or be home educated (home education).¹
Free enrolment: New Zealand citizens and permanent residents (domestic students) aged 5 to 19 can enrol and study at a state school for free.¹
Cohort entry: At schools that use cohort entry, children who have turned 5 can start on one of 8 set dates each year. They cannot start before age 5 and must start before age 6.⁵
2026 Term 4 cohort entry dates: 12 October or 16 November⁵
2027 cohort entry dates: Term 1: between 28 January and 3 February, or 8 March; Term 2: 27 April or 31 May; Term 3: 19 July or 23 August; Term 4: 11 October or 15 November⁵
Living in the zone: If you live in a school's home zone, your child is automatically entitled to enrol (a place is guaranteed).²
Living outside the zone: You can apply, but a place is not guaranteed. The school must advertise its out-of-zone places, usually in September.²
Auckland 2026 ballot dates: Secondary and intermediate: applications close 2 September, ballot on 9 September. Primary: applications close 14 October, ballot on 21 October.²
School donations: Voluntary: you can pay all, part or none of it. Your child will not be left out of curriculum activities because you did not pay.⁴
Tax credit for donations: If you pay a donation, you can use the receipt to claim a tax credit from Inland Revenue. There is a 4-year time limit.⁴
State-integrated schools: These schools charge attendance dues (for school buildings). You must pay these.⁴
Private schools: Each school sets its own fees.⁴
Charter schools (kura hourua): They cannot charge fees to domestic students. If the school owns its buildings, it may charge a maintenance fee.³

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

All children aged 6 to 16 must go to school or be home educated. Most children start school at 5.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents (domestic students) do not pay fees at state schools. To check whether a child on another visa counts as a domestic student, see our guide "Is my child a domestic student?".
If a school has no enrolment scheme (zone), anyone can enrol. If it has one, children who live in the home zone are guaranteed a place.
If your child lives in the zone, or the school has no zone, the school must accept the enrolment.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Find nearby schools and their zones
Use Find a School (Find your nearest school) on Education Counts. It shows each school's type, contact details and zone map. Check whether your address is inside the home zone.
Learn about schools and visit them
You can read the school's ERO (Education Review Office) report. Most schools welcome new families to book a visit, and secondary schools often have open days. You can visit several schools and compare them.
Contact the school to enrol
When you have chosen a school, contact it. Ask about enrolment dates and deadlines, which forms and documents you need, and whether the school uses cohort entry or pre-enrolment. Enrol early so the school can plan.
Applying to a school outside your zone
Watch for the school's notice about out-of-zone places and the application deadline. It may be on the school website, app or newsletter, or in a local newspaper, usually in September. If more people apply than there are places, the school holds a ballot.
If the school says no
If your child lives in the zone, or the school has no zone, and the school still refuses to enrol them, ask the school to give you the reason in writing. Then contact the Ministry of Education regional office for advice.
Get ready to start
Once your child is enrolled, you can take them to see the school and meet the teacher. If you are on a low income or receive a benefit, check whether Work and Income can help with costs such as uniforms and stationery.

What documents do I need?

Birth certificate or passport (to prove age)
Your child's medical information
Legal documents if needed (for example, custody or guardianship papers)
Family contact details and emergency contacts
For schools with a zone: proof of residence. Ask the school exactly what it accepts.
For children who are not New Zealand citizens: passport and visa or other proof of status (see our guide "Is my child a domestic student?")

What should I watch out for?

Do not move into a zone temporarily just to get into a school. If you enrol using false information or a temporary address, the enrolment can be cancelled (annulled).
Schools with a zone can ask for proof of residence when you enrol. Ministry of Education guidance says schools often use power bills, bank statements, rates notices or tenancy agreements. But the main question is whether you really live there long term.
If you move out of the zone after your child is enrolled, your child can stay at the same school or move to a school in your new zone. If a school creates or changes its zone, children already enrolled can stay.
State schools have no fees, but you pay for uniforms, stationery, extra-curricular activities and trips outside school hours.
If a school is in the school donation scheme, it cannot ask parents for donations (except for school camps). Camp costs are also voluntary, and your child can go even if you do not pay.
If you have questions about school charges, ask the school first. If you are not happy, contact the school board. If that does not solve it, contact the Ministry of Education regional office.
Not every school uses cohort entry. For schools that do, the Minister of Education sets the start dates, and schools cannot change them.
We only summarise official public information. Each school's zone, places and enrolment requirements are different. Always check with the school and the Ministry of Education.

What has changed recently?

2026-01-08
The Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1995 have been revoked. These rules required primary schools and early childhood services to ask parents about their child's immunisation status (immunisation certificate) at enrolment and keep a record.Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

What age do children start school in New Zealand, and when is school compulsory?

Most children start school from their 5th birthday, and school is compulsory from age 6 to 16. Between 6 and 16, children must go to school or be home educated. You can enrol your child with the school before they turn 5.

Can my child start school on their 5th birthday? What is cohort entry?

Yes, at most schools your child can start from their 5th birthday. Some schools use cohort entry instead. At these schools, children who have turned 5 start on one of 8 set dates each year. They cannot start before age 5 and must start before age 6. The Minister of Education sets these dates, and schools cannot change them. Ask the school whether it uses cohort entry.

How do I find out which school zone my address is in?

Use Find a School (Find your nearest school) on Education Counts. It shows each school's type, contact details and zone map. Check whether your address is inside the school's home zone. Each school's zone is different, so always confirm with the school.

Can my child go to a school if we live outside its zone? How does the ballot work?

Yes, you can apply, but a place is not guaranteed. The school must advertise its out-of-zone places, usually in September. Look for the notice on the school website, app or newsletter, or in a local newspaper. If more people apply than there are places, the school holds a ballot. For example, in Auckland in 2026, primary applications close 14 October and the ballot is on 21 October.

Do I have to pay the school donation?

No, school donations are voluntary. You can pay all, part or none of it. Your child will not be left out of curriculum activities if you do not pay. If you do pay, you can use the receipt to claim a tax credit from Inland Revenue. There is a 4-year time limit.

What is the difference between state, state-integrated and private schools, and what do they cost?

The main difference is cost. Domestic students aged 5 to 19 can study at a state school for free. You still pay for uniforms, stationery, extra-curricular activities and trips outside school hours. State-integrated schools charge attendance dues for school buildings, and you must pay these. Private schools each set their own fees. Use Find a School on Education Counts to check each school's type.

If we move out of the school zone, can my child stay at the same school?

Yes, your child can stay at the same school. You can also choose to move your child to a school in your new zone. If a school creates or changes its zone, children who are already enrolled can also stay.

Can I rent a house in a school zone for a short time to get my child into a good school?

No, you should not move into a zone temporarily just to get into a school. If you enrol using false information or a temporary address, the enrolment can be cancelled (annulled). Schools can ask for proof of residence, such as power bills, bank statements, rates notices or tenancy agreements. The main question is whether you really live there long term.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

How to enrol your child at school in NZGovt.nz · govt.nz
School zones and enrolment schemesMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz
Types of primary and secondary educationMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz
School costs and donationsMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz
Cohort or group entry for children starting schoolMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz

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