Guides
NZ home education guides.
Plain-English guides to the Section 38 exemption process. Written by parents who have been through it.
23 June 2026
How to submit your home education exemption application
The MoE PDF form confuses almost everyone. Here's the short version: fill in page one, attach your teaching programme as a separate document, and email it to your regional office.
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12 May 2026
How to apply for a home education exemption in NZ
A step-by-step guide to the Section 38 exemption process: what to write, how to submit, how long it takes, and what to do if the Ministry comes back with questions.
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12 May 2026
What the MoE actually looks for in a home education application
The Ministry's legal test explained word by word, what a strong application looks like, and the mistakes that trigger a follow-up letter.
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14 May 2026
Got a letter from the MoE after submitting? Here's what it means
Received a letter from the Ministry of Education after your exemption application? It's almost certainly not a rejection. Here's what it means and what to do.
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14 May 2026
The Complete Guide to Home Education in New Zealand
Everything you need to know about homeschooling in NZ: the law, the section 38 exemption, who can apply, what's required, and how to get started.
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14 May 2026
Do You Need Enough Space at Home to Homeschool? (The Honest Answer)
Worried your home isn't big enough to homeschool? The honest answer: you don't need much. A kitchen table works. Here's why, with NZ-specific examples.
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14 May 2026
Homeschooling in NZ vs School: What's Actually Different
An honest comparison of home education and school in New Zealand. Structure, curriculum, socialisation, accountability, and what you're really signing up for.
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14 May 2026
How to Find Your Homeschool Philosophy (and Why It Matters Before You Start)
Understanding your teaching philosophy before you start homeschooling in NZ steadies you through doubt and shapes your MoE exemption application. Here's how to find yours.
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14 May 2026
You Don't Need to Replicate School at Home
NZ home educators don't need desks, bells, or timetables. Learn why the school model doesn't fit home education, and what works instead.
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14 May 2026
What Is Deschooling, and Why You Should Do It Before You Start
Deschooling is the essential decompression period after leaving school. Here's what it is, how long it takes, and why rushing it costs you months.
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14 May 2026
Am I Doing Enough? The Homeschool Guilt Trap
Homeschool guilt is nearly universal. But the parents who ask "am I doing enough?" are usually the ones who are. Here's how to reframe what enough actually means.
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14 May 2026
Why 1 Hour of Home Education Isn't the Same as 1 Hour at School
A classroom teacher manages 25-30 kids. Your child gets you entirely. Here's why 2-3 hours of home education covers more than a full school day.
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14 May 2026
Stop Comparing Your Homeschool to Everyone Else's
Instagram homeschool content is mostly American, curated, and misleading. Here's why NZ home education looks different, and why that's completely fine.
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14 May 2026
There's No Such Thing as Falling Behind in Home Education
"Falling behind" is a school concept built around standardised ages and tests. Without a cohort or curriculum benchmarks, it simply doesn't apply the same way.
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14 May 2026
You probably don't need a curriculum yet
Most NZ homeschool families end up eclectic. Here's why you should deschool first, observe your child, and choose curriculum after, not before.
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14 May 2026
Free NZ homeschool timetable template (and how to actually use it)
A usable weekly timetable and daily rhythm template for NZ homeschool families, with guidance on adapting it to different ages and learning styles.
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14 May 2026
Homeschooling with babies and toddlers at home: how to make it work
Practical strategies for NZ homeschool families with littles underfoot: baby-wearing, independent play, quiet time, and adjusting your expectations.
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14 May 2026
NZ home education funding: what you're entitled to and how to apply
The NZ government pays an annual assistance payment to home educating families. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, and other free resources available.
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23 May 2026
The NZ homeschooling allowance: how much, when it arrives, and how to claim it
NZ homeschooling families with an approved exemption are entitled to a government supervisory allowance paid twice a year. Here are the current amounts, the payment schedule, and how to register.
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14 May 2026
Home education with a child who has special needs or a disability in NZ
Can you home educate a child with special needs in NZ? Yes. Here's what the law says, how to frame your application, and what support is available.
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14 May 2026
What "unschooling" actually means (it's not what social media says)
Unschooling is widely misunderstood. Here's what it actually is, what it isn't, and how to write an MoE exemption application if your approach is child-led.
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14 May 2026
The truth about homeschooling in NZ: responding to the headlines
The 2026 Newsroom coverage raised real questions about home education oversight in NZ. Here's what the regulations actually say and what the full picture looks like.
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