Online homeschooling in NZ: your options, and whether you need an exemption
"Online homeschooling" covers very different things in New Zealand, and the difference matters legally. Enrolling with Te Kura means your child is at school, so you don't need an exemption. Almost every other online option, including overseas online schools, counts as home education, so you do.
Here's how the main options compare. Details and prices were checked on 4 October 2026 from each provider's own site, so confirm before you sign up.
The key question: is it a registered NZ school?
New Zealand law requires children aged 6 to 16 to be enrolled at a registered school, or to hold a Section 38 home education exemption.
- Te Kura is a state school. If your child is enrolled there full-time, no exemption is needed.
- Overseas online schools are not registered New Zealand schools, however good they are. Your child still needs a home education exemption, and the online school becomes part of your programme.
- Online platforms and classes (curriculum subscriptions, live classes, apps) are resources you use within home education. Again, you need the exemption.
The options at a glance
| Option | What it is | Cost | Exemption needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Te Kura, enrolled | NZ state distance school, with teachers and set work | Free for eligible students | No |
| Te Kura courses while home educating | Individual courses alongside your own programme | Check Te Kura's criteria and fees | Yes |
| CambriLearn | Overseas online private school: British, Pearson Edexcel and US curricula, live lessons | Fees vary by package | Yes |
| Sapora | NZ platform with curriculum-linked resources, Years 1 to 9 | $20 per student per month | Yes |
| Starpath Learning | Waldorf-inspired lessons, grades 1 to 3 (US grades) | $47 a month after a trial; free tier | Yes |
| Outschool | Live online classes on almost any topic | Pay per class | Yes |
| Khan Academy | Free self-paced lessons, strongest in maths | Free | Yes |
Te Kura: online, but it's school
Te Kura (Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu) is New Zealand's state distance school. A full-time Te Kura student is enrolled at a registered school, with teachers marking their work and set deadlines, so no exemption is needed. Not every child is eligible for full-time enrolment, so check Te Kura's criteria.
Home-educated students can also take individual Te Kura courses as part of their own programme. Our Te Kura vs home education guide explains the difference in detail.
Overseas online schools
International online schools offer live lessons, qualified teachers and overseas qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels. They can be excellent, especially for older students with international plans. But they are not registered NZ schools, so in New Zealand your child is legally home educated, and you need an approved exemption before you start.
The good news is that an online school makes a strong application: the curriculum, timetable and assessment are already defined. Describe them in your own words, and show how they cover the basics.
Online platforms and live classes
Subscriptions like Sapora and Starpath, live classes like Outschool, and free tools like Khan Academy are building blocks for a home education programme. Many families mix several: a structured maths programme, live classes for a passion subject, and the library for everything else. Our curriculum options guide and free resources list cover more.
Common questions
Do I need an exemption for online school in NZ? Only if the school isn't a registered New Zealand school. Full-time Te Kura enrolment needs no exemption. Overseas online schools and online platforms do.
Is Te Kura free? Te Kura is publicly funded and free for eligible students. Check its enrolment criteria for your situation.
Can my child do an overseas online school from New Zealand? Yes, with an approved home education exemption. The online school then forms part of your home education programme.
Do I still get the home education allowance if my child uses an online school? The allowance is paid to families with an approved exemption who return the six-monthly declaration. See our allowance guide.
Pulled
Your approach is the heart of your application.
The Ministry wants to see how you'll teach, described in your own words. Tell us about your child and the way your family learns, and we'll turn it into a complete application within 48 hours.
Start your application →