New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses, the North Island, and the South Island as well numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated 1500 km east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and about 1000 km south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long isolation, New Zealand developed a distinctive biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. New Zealand’s culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers, with recent broadening arising from increased immigration. New Zealand is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

New Zealand Education System

Primary Education

• Age 6 to 15 Years & Grade 1 to 9
• From age 6 to 16, education is both compulsory and free. In an unusual twist, people living over 5 kilometers from their nearest school may opt for distance learning. Most children enter primary school at age 5 where they remain for 6 years.

Middle Education

• Grade 10 to 13
• The primary education program merges into middle school in different ways. Children may remain on at their primary school for grades 7 and 8, or complete these 2 years at bridging intermediate school (stream “A”). Alternatively they may go directly on to junior secondary school where they spend 4 years (stream “B”).

Secondary Education

• Students who followed either version of stream “A” complete their last 5 years at secondary schools, while students of stream “B” spend their last 3 years at senior secondary school.

Vocational Education

• This includes Industrial Training programs; the actual training is increasingly being provided in the workplace. Outputs include both apprenticeships for youth, and re-training for adults of all ages.

Tertiary Education

• This includes study at Universities, Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology, Private Training Institutions and Industry Training Organizations. Study for either academic or more practically focused qualifications, gaining everything from entry-level certificates to diplomas, degrees and doctorates.