Converting schools
If you’re an existing state or a state-integrated school and you’re thinking about converting to a charter school this is where you’ll get an overview of what you’ll need to do to lodge your application.
There are a number of steps involved, and if you’d like to open as a charter school in 2026, there are some dates to keep in mind. But you’re not locked into these deadlines as new application dates will be released each term for schools who will transition later.
The application process starts with an expression of interest form so we can find out more about your plans. After that, your next step will be to get a sense of what your school community thinks of your conversion plans. The Authorisation Board, which approves applications, will also conduct its own consultation with the school community, staff and students.
During this time, you can start thinking about your application form and other aspects of planning the transition. You’ll have a couple of months to compile the information required by the Authorisation Board.
Once the Authorisation Board has approved your application, the Charter School Agency will work with you to finalise your Charter School Agreement and make plans for transition.
If you are a sponsor wanting to set up a new charter school, you’ll find what you need in our section on information for new schools.
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Application process
This sets out the application process, and the dates to keep in mind if you’re aiming to open a school in term 1, 2026. The Charter School Agency, which manages the application process, intends to invite Expressions of Interest and Applications on a termly basis, and we’ll keep you updated of these future dates.
Step 1
The first step is to complete the three documents in the expression of interest pack for converting schools. These documents are:
Statutory declaration form for sponsors (form A)
Statutory declaration form for governing members (form B)
These documents must be completed and emailed to applications@charterschools.govt.nz by 5pm on Friday 11 April 2025.
Your responses will give us key information about your converting school ahead of receiving your application form. This timeframe will allow you to complete your application by the end of June if your application is approved and you want to open February 2026.
The Charter School Agency will review the documents. We’ll get back to you by 5pm, Thursday 17 April 2025 if we have any questions.
Step 2
After you’ve submitted the EOI forms, you’ll need to consider the views of your community, your staff and students and start to work on your application form. There’s more about this in community engagement.
During this time sponsors will do further work to consider the implications of transition, such as assessing the school property and assets. They will also need to work closely with the existing school Board.
Step 3
The application form is designed to give the Board more information about your sponsor, reassurance that you can meet statutory compliance requirements and work to the performance framework required by the Charter School Agreement. You can start work on the application form at any time during this process. We’ll be in touch to see if you need any assistance to complete this document.
Helping you through the application process
We realise there’s a lot to work to complete the application process. There will also be considerations for sponsors during this period, ranging from keeping your school community informed through to planning and preparing staff for the open day.
When we’ve checked the details in your EOI, we’ll be in touch with you to discuss what kind of assistance you’ll need to complete your application. Then, we’ll put you in touch with the experts who can provide specialised advice.
We’ll also schedule online briefings to discuss the format of the applications and give you more context about the process. It’s a great opportunity for you to understand more about our expectations and to ask questions.
You can get in touch with the Charter School Agency at any time during your application by emailing applications@charterschools.govt.nz
Engaging with your community
Consulting with your community and providing feedback on their views is an important part of the application process, as the Authorisation Board will want to understand the level of support that exists for your school.
Schools may want to organise community events, or parent information sessions, for example, to gauge the views of the community.
The Authorisation Board must also run a consultation process to determine the level of support from school community, staff, students. We will work with you to plan any engagements.
School Board responsibilities
Existing school Boards need to understand their legal obligations as employers during this process. They will need to get feedback from their employees about plans to convert to a charter schools. They need to provide them with information on the terms and conditions of employment with the sponsor, which should be no less favourable overall than employees’ current terms and conditions.
The outgoing school Board also needs to prepare to be dissolved as the incoming sponsor prepares to establish their role at the school. During this period, there’s a number of other matters school Boards will also need to think through, ranging from the maintenance of assets and school property through to transferring leases to the sponsor.
For state Integrated schools, there will also need to be close engagement with the proprietor, especially if they are not planning to operate as the new sponsor.
What will be covered in your application
The aspects to be considered by the Authorisation Board are set out in the Education and Training Act 2020.
The Authorisation Board needs to confirm the sponsor and governing members are ‘fit and proper.”
It will consider how the responses to the assessment criteria in the application demonstrate the factors such as the focus of the school, the capability of the sponsor, the standard of tuition to be provided. It will also take into account the level of support from the school community, school staff, and students for the proposed sponsor and for the proposed conversion of the school to a charter school.
The Board will also get the views of Secretary for Education and Chief Review Officer. This will include information on the current performance of the school.
Lodging your application
Email your completed application to applications@charterschools.govt.nz
We’ll email you with any queries, or to provide any additional information and updates about your application. If you have any questions, send them to the same email address and we’ll get back to you.
Timeline for schools opening in 2026
| Task | Date |
|
Converting school applications launched |
26 February 2025 |
|
Applicant briefing |
Throughout March 2025 |
|
EOI form for converting schools due |
11 April 2025 5.00pm |
|
Converting school applications deadline |
27 June 2025 12.00pm |
|
Authorisation Board interviews and decisions |
August 2025 |
|
Authorisation Board outcomes advised to applicants |
August 2025 |
|
Approved applicants contracted |
September 2025 |
|
New schools begin opening |
Term one 2026 |
Terms and conditions
The fine print about the applications process is in the terms and conditions document.
Glossary
The glossary has simple explanation of some of the words and phrases you’ll come across during the application process.
Operating a charter school
More information about operating a charter school can be found here