The Complete Guide to Home Education in New Zealand

If you've been wondering whether you can legally teach your child at home in New Zealand, whether you need a teaching qualification, or what the whole process actually involves, you're in the right place. This guide covers everything: the law, the requirements, how to get started, and what the application process looks like.

Is homeschooling legal in New Zealand?

Yes, completely. Home education has been legal in New Zealand for decades and is recognised under the Education and Training Act 2020. Specifically, section 38 of that Act allows parents to apply to the Secretary of Education for an exemption from compulsory school enrolment. When that exemption is granted, you are legally permitted to educate your child at home.

There are thousands of home-educating families across New Zealand. It is not a fringe choice. It is a recognised, legal pathway.

What is a section 38 exemption?

A section 38 exemption is the official approval from the Ministry of Education (MoE) that allows your child to be educated at home instead of attending a registered school.

The exemption is granted on a per-child basis. If you have three children you want to home educate, each child needs their own exemption.

Once granted, the exemption does not expire. It remains in place until your child turns 16 (the age at which school attendance is no longer compulsory in New Zealand), or until you choose to enrol them in school.

Who can apply?

Any parent or legal guardian of a child who is of compulsory school age (5 to 16 years old) can apply for a section 38 exemption.

You do not need:

• A teaching qualification
• A degree of any kind
• A specific income or home size
• A formal curriculum
• A fixed classroom or dedicated school room

What you do need is the ability to provide education that is "at least as regular and efficient as in a registered school." That phrase comes directly from the Act, and it is what your exemption application needs to demonstrate.

What does "at least as regular and efficient" actually mean?

This is the phrase that trips people up, because it sounds more demanding than it is in practice.

It does not mean you need to replicate a school day. It does not mean six hours of structured desk learning Monday to Friday. It means your child's education needs to be consistent, broad, and purposeful.

The Ministry looks for evidence that you have thought about:

• What your child will learn (the areas of the New Zealand Curriculum they'll cover)
• How you'll teach it (your methods and approach)
• How often learning will happen (regularity)
• How you'll know your child is progressing (your approach to assessment)

A well-written exemption application explains these things clearly. It does not need to be a rigid lesson plan. Many families home educate through projects, real-world experiences, interest-led learning, and community activities, and their applications are approved.

What areas of learning does the MoE expect?

Your application should show that you plan to cover the key learning areas from the New Zealand Curriculum. These include:

• English (literacy, reading, writing, oral communication)
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Science
• Social Sciences
• The Arts
• Health and Physical Education
• Technology

You do not need a separate resource or textbook for each area. Many families cover multiple areas through integrated learning, such as a project about local history that covers social sciences, literacy, and the arts at once.

You also do not need to follow the curriculum rigidly. You have significant flexibility in how, when, and in what depth you cover each area.

Do you need to follow the New Zealand Curriculum?

Broadly, yes, the NZ Curriculum is the reference point. But the MoE is not looking for a school timetable. They want to see that your child will receive a broad education that is not wildly out of step with what other New Zealand children are learning.

Many families bring their own philosophy to this. Some use structured programmes. Others use unschooling principles. Others blend approaches. All of these can be approved, as long as your application explains how your approach will cover the key learning areas in a way that works for your child.

What is the application process?

The application is a written document submitted to the Ministry of Education. It is not a form you fill in with tick boxes. It is more like a short written plan, usually a few pages, that explains who your child is, what and how you plan to teach them, and how you will know they are making progress.

The MoE reviews the application and typically responds within a few weeks. They may request changes or additional information. Once they are satisfied, they grant the exemption in writing.

There is no interview, no home visit as part of the initial application process, and no requirement to prove you have teaching skills.

What are you NOT required to do?

It helps to be clear about what home education does not require:

• You do not need to follow a school timetable or calendar
• You do not need to buy a curriculum package
• You do not need a dedicated classroom or school room
• You do not need a teaching certificate or qualification
• You do not need to sit your child NCEA assessments (though you can if you choose)
• You do not need to report to the Ministry on a regular basis once your exemption is granted
• You do not need to submit lesson plans or evidence of progress to the MoE unless a review is requested

What happens after the exemption is granted?

Once your exemption is approved, you get on with educating your child. There is no ongoing reporting requirement in most cases. The MoE can request a review of your child's education if they have reason to, but routine check-ins are not standard practice.

Some families connect with home education networks and support groups. These exist across New Zealand and offer co-ops, social events, group classes, sports, and community. Your child will not be isolated unless you want them to be.

How do I get started?

The practical steps are straightforward:

1. Check your child's age. The compulsory age is 5 to 16. If your child is 5 or older and not enrolled in school, or if you want to withdraw them from school, you need an exemption before you begin home educating.
2. Think about your approach. What do you want learning to look like in your home? What are your child's interests, strengths, and needs? You don't need a finished plan, but having a direction helps.
3. Write your application. This is the step that most families find daunting. The application needs to cover your child's profile, the curriculum areas, your teaching methods, and your approach to assessing progress. It needs to be clear and specific enough to satisfy the MoE.
4. Submit to the Ministry of Education. The application goes to your regional MoE office. They will review it and come back to you.
5. Begin educating. Once the exemption is granted, you are free to start.

The application is the main hurdle

For most families, the exemption application is the part that feels hardest. Not because it is technically difficult, but because it requires you to articulate a vision for your child's education in a format that satisfies a government ministry. Many parents are not sure what the MoE wants to see, or they worry about using the wrong language.

That is exactly what Pulled exists for. We write the application for you, based on what you tell us about your child and your family. The writing, the structure, the curriculum coverage, all of it is handled. You review and submit.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I homeschool if I have no teaching experience? A: Yes. The section 38 exemption does not require any teaching qualifications or experience. The MoE is assessing your plan for your child's education, not your credentials. Thousands of New Zealand parents with no formal teaching background have been granted exemptions.

Q: Can I take my child out of school to homeschool? A: Yes. You can withdraw your child from school at any point. You will need to apply for and receive a section 38 exemption before they stop attending. Schools are required to accept withdrawal notices. The exemption application can be submitted while your child is still enrolled.

Q: Does home education cost money? A: The exemption itself is free. There is no fee to apply. What you spend on resources, curricula, or programmes is entirely up to you. Many families home educate on very modest budgets using libraries, community resources, and free online materials.

Q: What if the Ministry of Education declines my application? A: The MoE can request changes to your application before granting an exemption. Outright refusals are rare and usually come down to the application not clearly explaining the education plan. You have the right to revise and resubmit. Getting the application right the first time saves time and stress.

Q: Is there a homeschool community in NZ we could connect with? A: Yes. There are active home education networks across New Zealand, including regional groups, Facebook communities, co-ops, and national organisations like the Home Education Foundation. You are far from alone in this.

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When you're ready to apply for your home education exemption, Pulled can write the application for you. Find out how →