All children aged six to 16 in New Zealand must attend school. Most children start school when they turn five.
Your child can start school (kura) between the ages of five and six. All children must be enrolled at school by their sixth birthday. Once your child starts school, they must attend school every day.
There are 13 years in the New Zealand school system. Schooling begins at primary school – the first year at primary school is referred to as ‘Year 1’. Primary school covers years 1 to 8 if it is a ‘full’ primary school, or years 1 to 6 if it is a ‘contributing’ primary school. If your child enrols in a contributing primary school, they will attend an intermediate school to complete years 7 and 8.
After finishing primary or intermediate school, your child will attend secondary school (also called ‘college’ or ‘high school’) to complete their final school years (years 9 to 13). They may leave secondary school before reaching Year 13, but not until their 16th birthday.
Find out more and what other options are available on the Ministry of Education website.
source: https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/education/school-system