Homeschool curriculum in NZ: your options, compared

You don't have to follow the New Zealand Curriculum, or any curriculum at all. NCHENZ puts it plainly: there is no legal requirement to use one. What the Ministry does expect is a clear plan that covers the basics, especially reading, writing and maths.

So "which curriculum?" is really "what mix of resources fits my child and my approach?" Here are the main options NZ families use, with prices where they're published. Details were checked on 4 October 2026, so confirm with each provider before you buy.

1. The New Zealand Curriculum itself

The Ministry of Education publishes the NZ Curriculum free online, including the refreshed version, Te Mātaiaho. Many families use its eight learning areas as a checklist rather than a programme: English, maths and statistics, science, social sciences, the arts, health and PE, technology, and learning languages (including te reo Māori).

Good for: structure without spending money, and an easy way to show the Ministry your plan has breadth.

2. NZ-made homeschool programmes

• My Homeschool offers graded programmes from kindergarten to Year 10, with planning and record-keeping templates.
• Sapora is an NZ platform with more than 1,000 curriculum-linked resources in English, maths, science and social sciences for Years 1 to 9. It costs $20 per student per month.

Good for: families who want a ready-made plan that already speaks the NZ curriculum's language.

3. Te Kura courses alongside home education

Te Kura, the state distance school, lets home-educated students enrol in individual courses as one part of their programme. It can be useful for subjects you feel less confident teaching, and for older students working towards NCEA. Check Te Kura's enrolment criteria and any fees for your situation.

Good for: filling specific gaps, especially at secondary level. See Te Kura vs home education for how the two fit together.

4. International and faith-based curricula

• International online schools such as CambriLearn teach British, Pearson Edexcel and US curricula with live online lessons. They are not registered NZ schools, so your child still needs a home education exemption (more on that in our online homeschooling guide).
• Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) is used by a number of NZ Christian families, often through a support agency.

Good for: families planning international qualifications, or wanting a faith-based structure.

5. Philosophy-led programmes

• Waldorf: Starpath Learning offers Waldorf-inspired lessons for grades 1 to 3 (US grades), at $47 a month after a trial, with a free tier.
• Charlotte Mason: Simply Charlotte Mason is a widely used source of plans and booklists.
• Unschooling and interest-led learning: no set curriculum at all. The child's interests drive the learning, and the parent documents it. Our guide to what unschooling actually means covers how that looks on an application.

6. Free building blocks

Many families build their own programme from free resources: Khan Academy for maths, the Science Learning Hub, Te Ara and NZ History for social sciences, and your public library's ebooks and audiobooks. Our free homeschooling resources list collects the best of them.

How to choose

1. Start from your child, not the catalogue. What do they love, and where do they struggle?
2. Mix freely. Plenty of families combine a structured maths programme with interest-led learning for everything else.
3. Don't overspend early. It's common to buy a curriculum, then change course once you see how your child learns. A term of free resources is a fine way to find your feet. See you probably don't need a curriculum yet.
4. You can change later. Your exemption application describes your current plan, not a contract.

What it means for your application

Section 3 of the exemption application asks you to describe your curriculum. Whatever you choose, describe it in your own words, and show how it covers reading, writing, maths and the wider learning areas. Our guides to how to apply and what the Ministry looks for cover the details.

Common questions

Do I have to follow the NZ Curriculum to homeschool? No. There is no legal requirement to follow it, but your plan needs to cover the basics, especially reading, writing and maths.

What is the cheapest homeschool curriculum in NZ? The NZ Curriculum itself and resources like Khan Academy, the Science Learning Hub and your public library are free. Many families start there.

Can I use an overseas curriculum? Yes. Any coherent curriculum or approach is accepted, as long as you can describe it and it covers the basics.

Can I change curriculum after my exemption is approved? Yes. The Ministry expects your programme to evolve, and you don't need to reapply.