The Public Service education sector organisations work together to ensure students in Aotearoa New Zealand get the skills, knowledge and support they need to achieve their goals.

Photo by Pragyan Bezbaruah.

Tā te rāngai mātauranga mahi What the education sector does

The Ministry of Education plays the primary role in managing the education sector. It owns and funds the nationwide school system that includes:

  • kura kaupapa Māori (schools with a curriculum in te reo Māori)
  • state schools (schools owned and funded by the state)
  • state-integrated schools (schools with their own aims and objectives to reflect their values).

The Education Review Office evaluates and reports on the education and care of learners in this system, while the New Zealand Qualifications Authority administers nationwide exams and ensures the credibility and robustness of the qualifications achieved. All education after secondary school is managed by the Tertiary Education Commission, and Education New Zealand is responsible for promoting tertiary education options to international students.

The education sector works together to provide a school system that is student-centred, reflects our unique and diverse society and ensures our students receive consistent, high-quality education at all levels.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai mātauranga Who works in the education sector

The New Zealand education sector employs:

  • over 70,000 teachers
  • teacher aides, principals and early childhood education specialists
  • cleaners, groundskeepers, bus drivers, and administrators
  • people who administer school exams and those who grade exam papers.

Ngā painga o te rāngai mātauranga mō Aotearoa How the education sector benefits New Zealand

Children are supported by the school system to learn in English or te reo Māori, and early childhood education centres provide children with an early start to learning. Whānau and families who want their children to receive an education that affirms the values of their faith can enrol at state-integrated schools that teach a particular set of values and philosophies on top of the national curriculum (for example, Catholic schools). International students deliver a boost to the economy and increased cultural diversity to our society.

Ngā whakahaere rāngai mātauranga Education sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s education sector.

  • Manapou ki te Ao | Education New Zealand

    Education New Zealand is a Crown agent that promotes a New Zealand education as one that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and create a positive impact on the world. Staff work closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector including schools, English language providers, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics, universities; and internationally with NZ Inc agencies, government agencies and education providers to identify opportunities and build a resilient, sustainable sector.

    Sectors

    Education

    Chair

    Tracey Bridges, Chair

    Website

    enz.govt.nz

  • Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga | Education Review Office

    The Education Review Office is an external review and evaluation agency, working within the sector to drive equitable levels of participation, engagement and achievement for all learners. It reports on and evaluates the provision of education and care of children and young people in the education system, reflecting the unique and diverse settings in Māori-medium, English-medium and Pacific-medium. Its institutional reviews and evidence-based evaluation informs and facilitates accountability, education improvement, knowledge generation, self-evaluation and strengthens engagement with whānau and communities.

    Sectors

    Education

    Leader

    Nicholas Pole, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Arotake Mātauranga | Chief Review Officer and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team 

    Website

    ero.govt.nz

  • Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

    The Ministry of Education is the Public Service’s lead advisor on New Zealand's education system. It runs the country’s system of schools, kura and early childhood education. It shapes direction for education organisations and providers and its work ensures children in New Zealand can grow up with an education that sets them up for success in life.

    Sectors

    Education

    Social 

    Leader

    Iona Holsted, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Mātauranga | Secretary for Education and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders 

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team 

    Website

    education.govt.nz

  • Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Qualifications Authority

    The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is a Crown Agent. Its work includes:

    • maintaining the New Zealand Qualifications Framework
    • quality assuring non-university tertiary education organisations and their qualification delivery
    • international liaison to recognise overseas qualifications in New Zealand and achieve recognition of New Zealand qualifications internationally
    • administering the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

    This ensures that New Zealand qualifications are accepted as credible and robust, both here and overseas, and help learners succeed.

    Sectors

    Education

    Chair

    Hon Tracey Martin, Chair

    Website

    nzqa.govt.nz

  • Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission

    The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is a Crown agent that invests in tertiary education and supporting the tertiary and careers system. TEC leads the Government’s relationship with the tertiary education sector in New Zealand and provides career services from education to employment. We invest over $3 billion into tertiary education and supporting the tertiary and careers system to ensure New Zealanders are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for lifelong success.

    Sectors

    Education

    Chair

    Jenn Bestwick, Chair

    Website

    tec.govt.nz