About charter schools

Information about how charter schools | kura hourua will differ from state schools and examples of charter school models overseas.

About charter schools | kura hourua

Charter schools are a new type of state-funded school operated under a contract between the Crown and a sponsor (an organisation or business approved by the Charter School Authorisation Board).

Sponsors will have greater flexibility in teaching, curriculum, governance, hours and days of operation, and funding, with the aim of achieving greater innovation in learning.

In exchange for greater flexibility, they are subject to increased oversight and accountability.

Each sponsor enters into a contract with the Crown that sets out its targets for student achievement and outlines the character of the school (for example, reflecting a cultural community, religious, sporting, extension, military). A charter school’s character may not be explicit especially if the charter is a converting state school.

If a sponsor fails to meet its targets, its contract can be terminated or other interventions used.

With the exception of specialist schools, all state and state-integrated schools are eligible to apply to become charter schools.

Charter schools must accept all eligible students to enrol, unless oversubscribed.

The name charter schools | kura hourua signifies the partnership between charter school operators and the government, and between charter schools and their communities. 'Waka hourua' means 'double-hulled canoe', which served as an inspiration for the name Kura Hourua.

They can be new schools or state and state-integrated schools can convert to become a charter school.

The Government intends that the first charter schools will be able to open in Term 1 2025.

See the Associate Minister of Education’s release on the Beehive website

Charter Schools to lift educational outcomes - Beehive

Charter schools legislation

The Education and Training Amendment Bill was introduced on 24 June 2024.

Visit the Parliament website to read the draft legislation. 

Education and Training Amendment Bill – New Zealand Legislation 

Submissions to the Education and Workforce Committee on the bill closed on Monday 29 July 2024. 

Subject to Parliament’s agreement, we expect the Bill to be passed by late September.

Key dates

Exact dates for some items are to be finalised.

June 2024: Legislation is introduced to Parliament.

July 2024: Applications open.

September 2024: Subject to Parliament passing it, the Education and Training Amendment Bill enacted.

September - October 2024: Authorisation Board selects sponsors from applications.

October - November 2024: Contracts finalised.

Term 1 2025: Target date for opening the first charter schools.

Contact us

If you would like to be kept up to date when more information is available, email info@charterschools.govt.nz