Children in New Zealand usually start school on their fifth birthday. If you have children who are more than six years old they must go to school. It’s a good idea to find out about schools in the area you’ll be living in before you arrive here.

In some areas the local schools get very crowded and it is difficult for them to accept more children. So you need to let the school know that your child or children are coming.

 

See the Education section of our Living in New Zealand Guide. It has lots of useful information about schools and the education system in New Zealand.