Auckland education

There are pre-school, primary and secondary schools in or near every suburb in Auckland, two major universities, two highly regarded Institutes of Technology, and many specialist education providers.

Facilities cover every level, from early childhood education to tertiary opportunities and ongoing education for adults.

Your child can attend primary and secondary schools as a domestic student if they are:

• a New Zealand resident or permanent resident
• a New Zealand citizen (includes Tokelauans, Cook Islanders and Niueans), or
• a student visa holder based on your temporary work visa.

Students who are not eligible to enrol as domestic students may be able to enrol as international students. 

Eligibility to enrol in New Zealand schools | Ministry of Education

Explore visa options to study | Immigration New Zealand 

Early childhood education

There are more than 1400 options for early childhood education in Auckland.

There are many different types of early childhood services, including teacher-led and parent-led services.

The Ministry of Education has a guide for parents explaining the differences between the various ECE styles.

Early childhood education providers are listed on the Education Counts website. 

Different kinds of early learning services | Ministry of Education 

Find Early Learning Services in Auckland Region | Education Counts

Playgroups

Playgroups are informal sessions where caregivers and children aged 0-5 years meet together in a relaxed environment. In a playgroup, parents and caregivers stay to interact with the other adults and to play with the children.

Playgroups are usually set up and run by parents and caregivers, with children choosing from a range of activities. Activities at playgroup are either free or low cost, and may include music and singing, imaginative play, outdoor and free play, or arts and crafts.

Playgroups in the Auckland region | Citizens Advice Bureau

Primary and secondary school

Schooling is compulsory from age 6–16.

The education system for schools is made up of 13 Year levels. Primary education starts at Year 1 and goes to Year 8 (around 5–12 years of age). Secondary education goes from Year 9 to Year 13 (around 13–17 years of age).

The school system

Find a school

There are more than 150 primary and secondary schools in Auckland.

Children usually attend a school in the area where they live, this is called a 'zone'. Many schools in New Zealand limit enrolments to students who live in their zone. However, some school don't have zones.

You can find information about the schools in the region, a link to their Education Review Office report, and their zone on the Education Counts website.

You can also search for specific requirements, including if a school is single sex or co-educational, or has boarding facilities for students.

Find a school in Auckland Region | Education Counts

Tertiary education

There are two universities based in Auckland: University of Auckland and AUT University.

Other New Zealand universities also have campuses in Auckland, including Massey University, which has its Albany campus on the North Shore.

There are two Institutes of Technology based in Auckland: Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology. Also, there are two Wananga providers in the Auckland region.

Check the Study in New Zealand website for more information about private education providers in Auckland.

Explore your study options | University of Auckland

Study | AUT University

Auckland campus | Massey University

Career and study options | Unitec

Study options | Manukau Institute of Technology

Find your study path | Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Our programmes | Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Home | Study in New Zealand

Search for a course or training provider | careers.govt.nz

Adult Community Education

Check the Auckland Community Education site to find adult community education available in a selection of schools in Auckland.

Welcome | Auckland Community Education