06 EDUCATION EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN NEW ZEALAND

Transcription

1 06 EDUCATION EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN NEW ZEALAND

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3 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NEW ZEALAND HAS A WIDE RANGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDING EDUCATION AND CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, FROM BABIES TO SCHOOL AGE. To access government funding, early childhood education (ECE) services must meet certain regulatory requirements. For most services this includes being licensed and chartered. Licensing standards are set by the Ministry of Education. Criteria include minimum ratios of staff to children and restrictions on class sizes. The services are regularly monitored by the Education Review Office (ERO). Three and four-year-olds enrolled in a teacher-led ECE service and some other services qualify for up to 20 hours of free early childhood education. For more information go to the Minstry of Education s Team Up website ( or call THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PROVIDES FREE ADVICE ON PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES. 01

4 02 The Ministry of Education provides free information on early childhood services, including the following guides that are all available on the website: Listing of ECE services by region and type of service Choices in Early Childhood Education Off to a good start Team Up Early Childhood booklet Information on 20 hours free ECE Other useful sources of information are the ERO guide Early Childhood Education: A Guide for Parents June 2006, your neighbours, local Citizens Advice Bureau or Plunket (see Health). Each kind of early childhood education service has its own way of working with children and their parents. There are full-day, part-day and casual options. Some early childhood education centres are led by registered teachers, while in others, parents or caregivers provide the education. There are also services where people can look after your child at their or your home, and get support from teachers who visit and provide advice and support. TEACHER-LED CENTRES In teacher-led centres, one or more of the adults providing education and care are registered teachers. All teacher-led centres are licensed to standards set by the Ministry of Education and/or chartered. Education and care centres Education and care centres can be run by the community or private owners, and provide full or part-time education and care. They usually charge fees. At least one of the teachers must be a registered teacher. Depending on the centre, they may accept children from birth to school age, or children of specific ages. Some education and care services also have programmes based on a specific culture, or on different beliefs, such as Montessori or Rudolph Steiner centres. Kindergartens Kindergartens are similar to education and care centres except that all the teachers must be registered. They usually ask for a donation, depending on the age of the child and hours of attendance, Most kindergartens offer services to children aged between two and a half and five years old. Mostly older children attend morning sessions five days a week, while younger children attend afternoon sessions three days a week. Some kindergartens are now open all day or have some sessions that are longer than others. Home-based education Home-based education involves an educator providing education and care for up to four children, under the supervision of a registered teacher who visits the educator at least once a month to provide advice and support. This takes place in the caregiver s home, or at the child s home, on a full-day or part-day basis.

5 PARENT-LED SERVICES In parent-led early childhood education services, parents or caregivers provide the education and care for their children. Playcentre Playcentres are run as parent cooperatives and cater for children from birth to school age. Children can attend up to five sessions a week. Parents or caregivers of children under 2 1 / 2 years must attend with their children. There is a higher overall adult to child ratio than at other services. All playcentres are members of the New Zealand Playcentre Federation. Playcentre Associations also operate playgroups. Playcentres usually charge fees, but these are generally low. Playgroups Playgroups are community-based groups where parents and caregivers meet together and provide play, social and learning programmes for their children. Playgroups receive funding from the Ministry of Education, and get support from early childhood education coordinators. Pacific Islands early childhood education groups These are playgroups that build young children s knowledge of their own Pasifika language and cultures. They are often church or community-based, and parents help run the sessions. Learning may be in both English and a Pasifika language or in a Pasifika language only. Pacific Islands early childhood education groups may ask for parent donations. Te Kōhanga Reo and Ngā Puna Kohungahunga These services focus on Māori language and culture. OTHER OPTIONS The Correspondence School The Correspondence School provides learning programmes for three to five year old children who are not able to attend early childhood education centres for reasons such as living in remote areas. Special needs The Ministry of Education provides early intervention support for young children from birth, or the time that they are identified as having special education needs, until transition to school. For more information about Early Intervention call the Special Education Information Line or special.education@minedu.govt.nz Nannies Nannies are listed in the Yellow Pages. A wide range of services is available. Although certification is not required, many nannies are professionally trained. 03

6 WHEN OUR CHILDREN STARTED SCHOOL THEY KNEW HARDLY ANY ENGLISH. BUT THEY WERE YOUNG AND SOON MADE FRIENDS AND QUICKLY PICKED UP THE LANGUAGE. TAIWANESE MIGRANTS, LINDA AND DANNY SHEE. 04

7 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION FREE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION FREE SECULAR EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE AT ALL STATE (GOVERNMENT-FUNDED) SCHOOLS. Schooling is compulsory for all children from their sixth until their sixteenth birthday, although most start on their fifth birthday or soon after. Students can stay at school until the age of 19, or 21 for special education students with disabilities. Although the Government meets almost all state schooling costs, parents are expected to pay some fees. These include the cost of schoolbooks, stationery, materials for art/trade classes, uniforms and school trips. Fees vary widely depending on individual school requirements. The school day usually begins about 9:00am and finishes about 3:00pm (the secondary school day ends around 3:30pm). There is generally a short break in the morning, about an hour for lunch and sometimes a short afternoon break. MY CHILDREN LOVE THE SPORTS HERE AND ARE NOW REAL KIWIS. SOUTH AFRICAN MIGRANT, MAGDALENE LE GRANGE. 05

8 06 SCHOOLING LEVELS Students are classified in year levels, beginning at Year 1 and moving up one class each year to the final Year 13. Years 1 and 2 are often referred to as primers or juniors and Years 3 to 6 as standards. Years 7 and 8 are known as forms 1 and 2 and Years 9 to 13 as forms 3 to 7. Class sizes are set by the school in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines. Some junior classes may include children of different ages and year levels in the same classroom. These are called composite classes. Students 16 years and over may choose not to finish their secondary education and leave in Year 11 or 12. By contrast, students can also attend school until the end of the year in which they reach 19 years of age if they choose. State schools are co-educational at primary and intermediate level. Some offer single-sex education at secondary level. Primary schools Children must be enrolled at primary school by their sixth birthday. However, most attend from age five (Year 1) to the end of Year 6. Many schools have waiting lists and it is consequently advisable to pre-enrol children before their fifth birthday. Depending on local options, children in their seventh and eighth years either continue to attend primary school or move to a separate intermediate school. Intermediate schools (for Years 7 and 8 only) operate only in urban areas. Secondary schools From age 12 or 13 through to 17 or 18 (Year 9 to Year 13), students attend secondary school also known as high school, college or grammar. Usually students are grouped in classes, but have different teachers and go to different classrooms for each subject. Some secondary schools enrol students early and it is advisable to contact schools at least six months before the official enrolment date. Area schools Also known as composite schools, these usually operate in rural areas and combine primary, intermediate and secondary schooling in one location.

9 THE NEW ZEALAND CURRICULUM The New Zealand Curriculum focuses on five key skills that students will develop over time: Thinking Using language, symbols and texts Managing self Relating to others Participating and contributing. The curriculum focuses on eight learning areas: English Mathematics and Statistics the Arts Health and Physical Education learning languages Science Social Sciences Technology English, Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) and New Zealand Sign Language can all be studied as first or additional languages. They may also be used by teachers to give instruction. Schools are expected to report to parents on the progress of their children. Each term, most schools prepare written progress reports and hold parent-teacher evenings. Parents can meet teachers to talk about their children and may ask for a meeting at any time. SUBJECTS TAUGHT AT NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS The following is a general list of subjects taught in New Zealand schools. Not all schools offer all the subjects listed and others may offer additional disciplines. Some subjects are compulsory. Years 1-10 compulsory subjects: English Mathematics Art Science Secondary schools: Accounting Agriculture and Horticulture Art History Biology Chemistry Classical Studies Dance Drama Economics English Geography Graphics Health History Home Economics Human Biology Health and Physical Education Technology Social Sciences Information Management Legal Studies Languages Latin Mathematics Media Studies Music Physical Education Physics Science Social Studies Technology Te Reo Māori Te Reo Rangatira Visual Arts 07

10 NOW I CAN SPEND TIME WITH MY CHILDREN, HELP WITH THEIR HOMEWORK AND ENJOY SCHOOL SPORTS. KOREAN MIGRANT, WOO CHANG HONG. 08

11 School terms/semesters The school year begins in late January or early February, after a summer holiday of about six weeks, and ends in December. It is divided into four terms with breaks of two to three weeks between them. Secondary school students have slightly longer holidays than primary school students. The terms usually run as follows: To gain a National Certificate of Educational Achievement you must earn 80 credits. In the case of Levels 2 and 3 at least 60 must be from the relevant level. Students can also study at a mix of levels depending on their interests and strengths. Term 1: End of January to mid-april Term 2: Late April to the beginning of July Term 3: Mid-July to late September Term 4: Mid-October to mid-december (or early December for secondary schools). Check with your local school for exact dates or visit: National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) New Zealand s national secondary school qualification is the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Students may gain NCEA at three levels usually in years 11, 12 and 13. Under NCEA, subjects are divided into specific skills or pieces of knowledge called standards. For example, in English there are separate standards for speaking, reading, writing and research. Each standard is worth a number of credits, and students achieve NCEA when they have gained enough credits at each level. There are two types of standards. Unit standards are internally assessed by teachers at school. Unit standards are also used in qualifications outside secondary schools in the tertiary sector. Achievement standards are only used in secondary schools, and may be assessed by teachers at school or through national examinations at the end of the school year. About 60% of the achievement standards are assessed externally and the rest internally. 09

12 10 NCEA Level 1 This equates to Year 11. Comparable overseas qualifications include: the British 'O' Level (now available outside Britain only) the Canadian or United States Grade 10 in different Australian states: Year 10 Awards, School Certificate, Junior Certificate, Achievement Certificate. NCEA Level 2 This equates to Year 12. Comparable overseas qualifications include: the British GCSE grades A to C Canadian or United States Grade 11 NCEA Level 3 This equates to Year 13. Comparable overseas qualifications are: GCE A Level Australian Year 12 Awards. University entrance can be gained by meeting a standard established by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. New Zealand Scholarship New Zealand Scholarship is a series of stand-alone examinations designed to extend very able students. Scholarship is not a qualification in itself, but a formal recognition of achievement for top-level students, and in some cases carries a monetary award. Although a much higher level of thinking and analysis is required, the subject matter assessed is the same as that covered for Level 3 NCEA. Students enter external scholarship assessments in addition to those required for NCEA Level 3. To be eligible for the monetary award, students must be either NZ citizens or Permanent Residents. International students entering the Scholarship examinations are not eligible for monetary awards but can have their Scholarship success acknowledged on their Record of Achievement. For further details, visit the Scholarship Eligibilty and Awards section on the NZQA website

13 Choosing a school Most New Zealand students attend state-funded schools. Every student has the right to enrol at the state school nearest to their home. If the school is at risk of overcrowding, it can set a home zone that is geographically defined. Students living in this zone have the right to go to that school. Those living outside the zone can be enrolled only under special circumstances. These include situations where students have brothers or sisters attending the school or require access to special programmes such as special education or Māori language. If the school is still at risk of overcrowding, selection is made through a supervised ballot. ERO reports are available at no charge from schools, ERO offices or at: Families also have the right to visit schools and meet with the principal and staff before deciding to enrol their children as students. 11 State schools State schools are fully funded by the Government. At primary and intermediate level they are co-educational with classes that include boys and girls. Both co-educational and single-sex schooling is available at secondary level. State schools do not charge fees. However, parents are expected to make donations towards the support of special programmes or services. There are also charges for stationery and uniforms. Meals are not provided. Snacks can generally be purchased from the school shop, but many parents prefer to provide a packed lunch.

14 12 AS A NEW ZEALAND TRAINED TEACHER, I CAN PUT SOMETHING BACK INTO MY COMMUNITY. SEU SOLOI-COLLINS, TEACHER AND SAMOAN MIGRANT..

15 Integrated schools The term integrated schools generally refers to schools with a religious focus usually Roman Catholic in denomination that used to operate as private institutions. In recent years, these schools have been integrated into the state system hence the name integrated schools. Integrated schools receive the same Government funding for each student as state schools but their buildings and land are privately owned so they charge attendance dues to meet their property costs. Although they follow the state curriculum requirements, all have retained their special religious or philosophical character. A small number of institutions, such as Montessori or Rudolf Steiner schools, are secular in character. Private/independent schools Private or independent schools receive only limited government funding and are almost entirely dependent on income derived from student fees. There are no standard fees as each school determines its own fee scale. Fees also vary according to levels, with fees in Years 12 and 13 usually significantly higher than those charged in Years 9 and 10. Fees at primary school also vary according to level, although these are generally much lower than secondary school fees. Private schools are governed by their own independent boards but must meet government standards in order to be registered. They are also subject to the same ERO audits as state schools. Boarding schools Boarding schools exist mainly at secondary school level. There is currently a total of 96 boarding schools operating in the state, integrated and private sectors. All charge boarding fees. Correspondence School The Correspondence School teaches a full range of school-level courses. Criteria for school age enrolment are similar to those outlined on page 6. Home-based schooling Home-based schooling must meet the same standards as registered schools, and approval to exempt the student from regular schooling must be obtained from the Ministry of Education. A small annual grant is available for teaching materials. Home schooling accounts for less than 1% of school enrolments. 13

16 14 EACH SCHOOL HAS ITS OWN RULES ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF HOMEWORK NEEDED. Education for children with special needs Wherever possible, children with special education needs are enrolled with other children in ordinary classes. As in the case of early childhood education, a range of specialist support services is available. School management Each state and state-integrated school is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Board is elected every three years by parents and includes parent and community representatives, the school principal and a staff representative. Secondary school boards must also have a student representative. The Board is responsible for both setting and meeting the objectives identified in the school s charter. Management of the school s finances and general administration is also a Board s responsibility. All parents can stand for election as Board trustees. Participation in Parent Teacher Associations is also open to all parents. Attendance Parents or guardians are legally responsible for making sure children are enrolled at, and regularly attend, school between the ages of six and 16 years. If a child cannot go to school on a particular day, the school should be advised by 9:00am. Most schools have a special phone number, or absence line, for reporting absence. Children may be excused from school for such standard things as medical and dental appointments and for special family reasons. Parents or guardians may also request that a child be excused from religious or sex education classes.

17 Uniforms Most schools require students to wear a uniform unless the school has an optional uniform policy. School uniforms are sold by most major department stores. Some schools also operate their own uniform shops and sell both new and second-hand items. Discipline Teachers are not allowed to physically punish students in their care. Legal disciplinary methods include removal of privileges, extra homework or detention. Parents or guardians are advised in advance if a child is given detention, as this will require the child to stay at school for a specified time after the end of the standard school day. For serious offences, students may be suspended from school for a period of time. If they are over 16, they can be expelled permanently. Expulsion generally occurs when a student s conduct either sets a dangerous example to other students or threatens their safety. There are formal procedures for suspending or expelling a student. Homework Most secondary and primary schools expect students to do homework. Each school has its own rules on the amount and type of homework. School transport Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that a child can get to school. Each year, about 100,000 children use school buses. Although school bus services are contracted by the Ministry of Education, students are expected to meet the cost of fares. If a child has to travel a long distance to school, and there is no public transport or school bus service, financial assistance can be provided. Financial assistance and/or bus and taxi services are provided for special education students. Changing schools If you plan to change schools, the principal of your child s current school should be informed as soon as possible. Transfers involving a change in the level of schooling such as from primary to intermediate or intermediate to secondary require additional documentation. Details of application procedures for the school the student plans to transfer to are usually given to students in Years 3 and 8 while they are still at their current school. Most intermediate and secondary schools have open days. 15

18 TERTIARY EDUCATION 16 UNIVERSITIES New Zealand has eight universities. All offer general undergraduate and graduate degrees and diplomas in arts, sciences and commerce, as well as specialist degrees in particular disciplines. The specialist disciplines offered by each university are identified in the University Guide on page 17. Undergraduate degrees such as a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or a BSc (Bachelor of Science) usually take three years to complete. Vocational or professional training may take longer. Each university publishes an annual Calendar detailing the terms, entry requirements, fees and courses scheduled for the academic year. This information is also made available on university websites. Term dates and fees vary between universities. The reference sections of most public libraries hold copies of the latest Calendars. These can also be purchased from leading booksellers and university bookshops. All university students must be able to speak English and some universities have a set level of competency. ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH AND SOME UNIVERSITIES HAVE A SET LEVEL OF COMPETENCY.

19 UNIVERSITY GUIDE: SPECIALIST SUBJECTS SPECIALIST SUBJECTS The University of Auckland Architectural Studies Education/Teaching Engineering Fine Arts Health Sciences Human Services Law Medicine Music Nursing Optometry Performing Arts Pharmacy Physical Education Planning Property Social Work Technology Theology Visual Arts Auckland University of Technology Business Health Sport & Recreation Sciences Art & Design Communications Computing & Mathematical Science Education Languages Hospitality & Tourism Social Sciences Te Ara Poutama The University of Waikato (Hamilton) Arts & Social Sciences Computing & Mathematical Sciences Education Law Management Maori & Pacific Development Science & Engineering Massey University (Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland) Agriculture & Horticulture Aviation Studies Business Studies Design Food Technology Social Sciences Veterinary Science Victoria University (Wellington) Architecture Criminology Design Public Administration Social Work Law Political Science The University of Canterbury (Christchurch) Engineering Forestry Fine Arts Journalism Speech and Language Therapy Teacher Education Law Music Social Work Lincoln University (near Christchurch) Agriculture & Horticulture Natural Resource Management The University of Otago (Dunedin) Dentistry Law Medical Laboratory Science Medicine Pharmacy Physical Education Physiotherapy Surveying Theology Applied Science Dental Technology Oral Health Medical Radiation Therapy Dietetics (Post Grad) 17

20 UNIVERSITY GUIDE: BY AREA POLYTECHNICS 18 Auckland Hamilton Palmerston North Wellington Christchurch Lincoln Dunedin New Zealand has 20 polytechnics and institutes of technology offering a wide range of academic, vocational and professional courses. As well as three and four-year degrees, polytechnics also offer short full-time and part-time courses. These courses are scheduled throughout the year. Each polytechnic publishes an annual Prospectus detailing the courses scheduled during the academic year. Fees and entry requirements are also included in the Prospectus. INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANISATIONS These organisations provide on-the-job training in many industries. Industry training concentrates on workplace learning that raises skills and provides nationally recognised qualifications. Workplace learning can be undertaken either on the job or off the job through a registered training provider, or as a combination of both. There are 40 Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) around the country, established by particular industries or groups of industries. Industry training is also a useful way of gaining New Zealand experience by upskilling in your chosen trade. For more information visit TEACHER TRAINING Teaching qualifications are offered by a range of universities, polytechnics and private providers. For a list of training providers see

21 PRIVATE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS There are several thousand private training establishments in New Zealand offering a wide range of courses, although most tend to specialise in particular subjects. Over 900 are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and a small number offer degrees. About a quarter are Māori owned and operated. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS University entrance NCEA is the common entry standard for university. To gain entry, students must have achieved at least 42 credits at Level 3 or higher, including at least 14 credits in Mathematics at Level 1 or higher, and eight in English or Te Reo Maori (four in Reading, four in Writing). Students must also have 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two approved subjects and another 14 credits from no more than two other subjects. For detailed information on NCEA entrance requirements see the website of the NZ Vice Chancellors' Committee For students who have other types of educational achievements, information on university entrance standards is available on the Vice Chancellors' Committee website. Discretionary and provisional entrance These provide a route to university for students who have not continued secondary education beyond Year 12. For information on the criteria see the NZ Vice-Chancellors' Committee website Polytechnics and colleges of education Entry requirements for polytechnics and colleges of education vary, depending on the course. Some have no pre-requisites, for others you may need to have done several years at secondary school or an appropriate entry level polytechnic course. Overseas students Students who have not been educated in the New Zealand school system may still undertake tertiary studies. Each university, polytechnic and college of education has its own entry requirements for students educated overseas. For further details, visit the websites listed in the directory on pages English language requirements Most tertiary institutions require evidence of competency in both spoken and written English. Requirements vary but universities generally ask for at least IELTS Level 6.0 or a score of in TOEFL ibt. More information on requirements at specific universities is available on the VIce-Chancellors Committee website. Applications Tertiary institutions generally begin their academic year in February. Closing dates for applications vary. For courses starting in February, it is advisable to apply by September of the previous year. This is particularly so with the more popular courses. Half-year courses run by polytechnics generally begin in July and, as in the case of universities, early enrolment is advisable for popular courses. Application forms are available directly from each individual institution. Certified translations should be provided for all educational certificates in any language other than English. 19

22 20 FEES The Government subsidises the tuition of students at state tertiary institutions and approved private training establishments. Currently, students contribute about 26% of the cost of a course. Costs vary depending on the type and level of courses taken. For example, the first year of full-time study for an Arts degree may cost about $3,000, while fees for the final year s training as a doctor or dentist can be as much as $10,000. STUDENT ALLOWANCES AND STUDENT LOANS If you are over 16 years and studying, you may be eligible for a Student Allowance or Student Loan. A Student Allowance can help with your living expenses while you study. It's money that you don't have to pay back. In general, to be eligible for a Student Allowance, you need to: be 18 or over (some year olds can also get it) study full-time (or limited full-time with our approval) be at secondary school or on a tertiary course approved by the Tertiary Education Commission be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or refugee. A Student Loan can help with your study costs. It's a loan that you do have to pay back. In general, to be eligible for a Student Loan, you need to: be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or refugee sign a contract with the Government be enrolled on a Tertiary Education Commission approved course. The course must be full-time (or limited full-time with our approval) or part-time and 32 weeks or longer. StudyLink also offer two scholarships and other types of support and help with costs if you are studying. For further information, visit StudyLink at or call freephone STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS Students enrolled at most public tertiary institutions become members of student associations. Fees range from $50 to $200 a year. Student associations provide a range of services and facilities that differ between institutions. They also represent students interests on the institution s decisionmaking bodies. OTHER STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS The range of other support systems available to tertiary students and trainees includes: course and career advice in schools and other educational institutions scholarships funded from public and private sources counselling and other student services (such as accommodation, health and recreation) courses that allow disadvantaged students to meet entry requirements and learning support for students throughout their degree. DISTANCE LEARNING The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand (TOPNZ) offers courses by correspondence. Several other polytechnics and universities also offer distance learning.

23 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) Adult education courses These range from courses for beginners, to advanced courses in Business English, and are available at most polytechnics and universities. Secondary school courses Most schools offer ESOL tuition for non-english speaking students. Assistance is also available through a wide range of private English language schools. English Language Partners (ELP) Formerly ESOL Home Tutors, this is a national network of volunteer home tutors offering free elementary tuition for adult migrants. The volunteer tutors visit homes and provide migrants unable to attend formal language classes with individual tuition. Visit: ENGLISH FOR MIGRANTS (PRE-PAID ESOL) When new migrants pay in advance for English language tuition they will receive once in New Zealand, it is often referred to as 'Pre-paid ESOL'. This tuition is facilitated by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The TEC funds a range of programmes for people who are new to New Zealand and need assistance to develop their English language skills. There may be a choice of providers available - you might like to visit the potential campus before enrolling. Costs are likely to vary depending on the type and length of the course. For a full list of the courses and providers available, visit WEBSITES AND NEW ZEALAND FREEPHONES NEW ZEALAND NOW Goverment site that links you to all the information that you need to know about living and working in New Zealand. IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND SITE Official site of Immigration New Zealand. Comprehensive information on all aspects of New Zealand immigration policy and procedures. All policy guidelines and most application forms can be downloaded. GOVERNMENT SITES The official gateway to New Zealand government online. A portal to online information about education in New Zealand. Education Review Office Provides quality assessments of schools and pre-schools. Human Rights Commission An independent agency responsible for investigating and resolving complaints about discrimination and other human rights issues. Freephone: Ministry of Education Information on early childhood, primary and secondary education. Details the national qualification for senior secondary students. Freephone: (0800 NCEA HELP) New Zealand Qualifications Authority Information on New Zealand qualifications and overseas equivalents. 21

24 22 Information on becoming a teacher in New Zealand. Freephone: (0800 TEACHNZ) StudyLink Details of student allowances and loan schemes. Freephone: Tertiary Education Commission Comprehensive guide to vocational training courses and apprenticeships across all industries. Also information on ESOL courses for migrants. Freephone: (0800 TEC INFO) ASSOCIATIONS OF SCHOOLS New Zealand Boarding Schools Association Independent Schools of New Zealand Information on 44 independent (private) schools. EARLY CHILDHOOD New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated New Zealand Playcentre Federation POLYTECHNICS The Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand Information on tertiary education in New Zealand and links and contact details for polytechnics and institutes of technology. The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Specialises in distance learning at tertiary level. TEACHER TRAINING Links to teacher training at Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury and Dunedin universities. UNIVERSITY WEBSITES The University of Auckland Freephone: Auckland University of Technology Freephone: (0800 AUT UNI) The University of Canterbury Freephone: (0800 VARSITY) Lincoln University Freephone: Massey University Freephone: (0800 MASSEY) The University of Otago Freephone: Victoria University of Wellington Freephone: (0800 VIC UNI) The University of Waikato Freephone: (0800 WAIKATO) INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANISATIONS The Industry Training Federation (ITF) is a membership-based organisation, representing industry training organisations (ITOs). Comprehensive links to specific industry training organisations (i.e. motor industry, building and construction, and apparel and textile industries, etc) can be found on their website.

25 EDUCATION IN NEW ZEALAND Correspondence courses at all levels. Freephone: EduSearch Information on New Zealand s education system pre-school to adult education. New Zealand Association of Private Education Providers Freephone: (0800 NZAPEP) Information for overseas students wanting to study here. Search by region and subject. Telephone listings for New Zealand businesses. GETTING HELP WITH SPEAKING ENGLISH If you need help in learning English, your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a good place to start. CAB staff are trained in assisting new migrants and will be able to refer you to local ESOL training organisations, colleges and schools that can provide the type of tuition you require. Local CAB offices are listed under CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUX (INC) in the White Pages. The Tertiary Education Commission also publishes an English for Migrants Course Directory. You can obtain this by calling free on: (0800 TEC INFO) or download it from the website. National Association of ESOL Home Tutor Schemes. Runs one-to-one ESOL teaching at home, social English groups, special focus groups for learning skills such as driver licence theory and social events. New Zealand Correspondence School Provides ESOL correspondence courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. 23 SSNZ SSNZ (Settlement Support New Zealand) is a government funded initiative that provides a local point of first contact for new migrants, in 19 locations throughout the country. Think of it as, Phone a friend. SSNZ is a FREE service for new migrants, linking you to the information you need. PHONE 0800 SSNZ4U ( ). VISIT Please note: Freephone numbers do not accept international calls. Telephone directories In New Zealand telephone directories are referred to as the White and Yellow Pages. These terms are used throughout this guide. The White Pages lists residential and business numbers in alphabetical order. It also includes special sections on Government and Medical services. The Yellow Pages is a classified business directory categorised by service or product type. There are White and Yellow Pages for each region there is no national directory. For national listings, visit: or