We want to homeschool our child, what is the legal process?
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We want to homeschool our child, what is the legal process?

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16.09.2026

We are considering taking our nine-year-old out of school to teach them at home. Neither of us is a qualified teacher. Do we need permission from the Ministry, and how does the government check that the education is adequate?

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18.09.2026
reply date: 18.09.2026

In New Zealand, children between six and sixteen must be enrolled at a registered school unless the Ministry of Education grants an exemption under the Education and Training Act 2020. To apply, you complete an application to the Ministry explaining how you will teach your child, including the curriculum you intend to follow, the resources, the timetable and how you will monitor progress. You do not need to be a qualified teacher, but the Ministry must be satisfied that the child will be taught at least as regularly and as well as in a registered school. Once granted, the exemption is not permanent, and the Ministry can review it. Families must also complete review requests and ensure the child is not enrolled in school in the meantime.

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