New Zealand Education - Think New Logo

School system and qualifications

Find a school

Types of schools

Schools in New Zealand are either state schools (where 85% of children go), state-integrated schools (which may be faith-based or use specialist teaching methods), or private schools.

Secondary schools students interacting & learning vocational subjects

Secondary school

(ages 13-18, years 9-13)

intermediate school students learning in the classroom

Intermediate school

(ages 11-12, years 7-8)

primary school students studying subjects guided by the New Zealand National Curriculum

Primary school

(ages 5-10, years 1 - 6)

Brumi Bhatara Wongsoontorn from Thailand, father of two students at secondary school in New Zealand.

Secondary school qualifications

Secondary schools offer a great range of qualifications that are accepted by universities in New Zealand and around the world.


National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)


The Cambridge Examinations


International Baccalaureate (IB)

Do you want some help to make the right decision?

Keep exploring

Information for parentsLiving in New ZealandUniversities