Charter schools
The government put aside funding for charter schools in Budget 2024. It was estimated this would allow for 15 new schools and 35 converting schools. However, the exact number of schools that can be funded depends on characteristics such as size, type, property arrangements and how quickly they are established.
The government passed legislation to enable the creation of charter schools in August 2024 and the first round of applications for charter schools opened shortly after.
The first seven charter schools opened in February 2025. Two are in Christchurch, four are in Auckland and one is in Northland. An eighth school (in Auckland) opened in July 2025.
- L’École Française Internationale Auckland (Auckland)
- TIPENE (South Auckland)
- Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki (Christchurch)
- Te Rito, Te Kura Taio (Northland)
- The BUSY School New Zealand (Auckland)
- North West Creative Arts College (Auckland)
- Christchurch North College (Christchurch)
- Twin Oaks Classical School (Auckland)
Three of these schools focus on disengaged learners who may be neuro diverse, one has an arts approach to learning, another provides an internationally focused curriculum and two will teach in a way that best engages Māori learners. Students at Twin Oaks Classical School will spend two days learning from home.
What's next?
The Charter School Agency is currently working with a small number of state schools that expressed interest into converting to become charter schools.
Tōtara Point School will open in term one 2026. It will begin with a Years 1 to 4 cohort.
The next round of applications for new charter schools and expressions of interest for current state schools to convert into charter schools is underway.