Homeschooling in New Zealand

Home education is legal in New Zealand, but it isn't something you can simply start. Children aged 6 to 16 must be enrolled at a registered school unless the Ministry of Education has given them an exemption.^[1]

Getting an exemption

You apply to the Ministry before you take your child out of school. The application needs to show that your child will be taught at least as regularly and as well as in a registered school.^[1] Most families describe what they'll teach, how they'll teach it, the resources they'll use and how they'll keep track of progress.

Keep your child enrolled until the exemption comes through. Without one, they're still legally required to attend school.

The supervision allowance

Families with an exemption can claim a yearly allowance to help with costs. The Ministry lists these rates, in place since 1 January 2024:^[1]

It's paid in two instalments, and parents sign a declaration twice a year confirming they're still home educating.^[1] Check the Ministry's page for current rates and dates.

The Government has proposed closer checks on home education, so the rules may change.^[2] It's worth checking again before you apply.

Do you have to follow the NZ Curriculum?

No. Home educators don't have to follow the NZ Curriculum. Many still use it as a map, because it sets out what children learn in each year and makes it easier to move back into school later. Our guide to the 2026 curriculum explains how maths and English are organised.

Planning maths and English

For Years 3 to 8, a simple week works well for most families:

• Maths most days, 30 to 45 minutes. One new idea, then practice, then a few questions from earlier topics so they don't fade.
• Reading every day. A mix of stories and non-fiction, read aloud or alone, with talk about what they read.
• Writing two or three times a week. A short story or a piece arguing a point, then one thing to improve.
• Spelling and grammar in small doses, ten minutes a few times a week.
• A quick check each term on what's secure and what needs another look.

Where Study Compass fits

Study Compass covers maths and English only, for Years 3 to 8, with lessons placed in the NZ year that teaches them. It gives your child a daily plan and gives you a parent view of what's going well and what needs practice. It won't cover science, social sciences, the arts or the other learning areas, so you'll need other resources for those.