Education in New Zealand

The education system in New Zealand implements a three-tier model which includes primary and intermediate schools, followed by secondary schools (high schools) and by tertiary education at universities and polytechnics. The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions, but generally runs from early February until mid-December for primary schools, late January to late November or early December for secondary schools and polytechnics, and from late February until mid-November for universities.

In 2018 the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), ranked New Zealand 12th-best at science, 12th-best at reading, and 27th-best in maths; however, New Zealand's mean scores have been steadily dropping in all three categories. The Education Index, published as part of the UN's Human Development Index, consistently ranks New Zealand's education among the highest in the world. Following a 2019 Curia Market Research survey of general knowledge, researchers planned to release a report in 2020 assessing whether New Zealand's education curriculum is fit for purpose. The study found that people in New Zealand lack basic knowledge in English, maths, science, geography, and history.

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative found that as of 2022 New Zealand achieved 95.9% of what should be possible at its level of income for the right to education.

History

Before the arrival of Europeans, Māori ran schools to pass on traditional knowledge including songs, chants, tribal history, spiritual understanding, and knowledge of medicinal plants. These wānanga were usually run by elders called tohunga, respected for their tribal knowledge and teaching was confined to the rangatira (chiefly) class. Reading and writing were unknown, but wood carving was well developed.