Most New Zealand students attend state-funded schools. Every student has the right to enrol at the state school nearest to their home. If the school is at risk of overcrowding, it can set a 'home zone' that is geographically defined. Students living in this zone have the right to go to that school. Those living outside the zone can be enrolled only under special circumstances. These include situations where students have brothers or sisters attending the school or require access to special programmes such as special education or Maori language. If the school is still at risk of overcrowding, selection is made through a supervised ballot.
ERO reports are available at no charge from schools and ERO offices. Two helpful publications - Choosing a School for a Five Year Old and Choosing a Secondary School - are also available free from ERO.
Families also have the right to visit schools and meet with the principal and staff before deciding to enrol their children as students.
