The NZ school year runs from late January to mid-December, divided into four terms. This creates a disruption challenge for Canadian families moving mid-year.

A family departing Canada in June arrives in NZ mid-Term 2. A child joining in July has left a Canadian school mid-year and enters an NZ school mid-year. There is no clean break in either system.

The two best arrival months for school continuity are January (start of Term 1, first day of the NZ school year) and April (start of Term 2, after the mid-summer break). Arriving in October or November means entering two months before the NZ year ends and restarting entirely in February.

State schools are free for domestic students. The school cannot compel payment - tuition is free by law. Voluntary donations ($150 to $400 NZD per year), uniforms ($200 to $400 NZD), technology levies ($100 to $200 NZD per year), camp fees ($150 to $300 NZD per camp), and sport fees ($50 to $200 NZD per sport per term) are the practical annual costs.

State integrated schools retain a special character (often religious) and charge attendance dues of $300 to $1,200 NZD per year. Teaching and curriculum costs are state-funded.

Private schools charge full tuition. Fees range from NZD $8,000 to $22,000 per year at secondary level.

Auckland's most sought-after state secondary schools operate within strict geographic zones. You can only enrol at a zoned school if you live at an address within that zone. The zone is verified using a lease agreement, property title, or utility bill.

The zoning for Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls' Grammar - the most requested state schools in Auckland - covers inner eastern suburbs including Remuera, Epsom, and Newmarket. Renting a 3-bedroom house in these suburbs costs NZD $1,000 to $1,600 per week.

Wellington operates with less strict zoning. Most Wellington state schools have an out-of-zone ballot process. Check school zones before signing any Auckland lease - the address determines school access, not the reverse.

Find zone maps at the Ministry of Education.

Children aged 3 to 5 are entitled to 20 free hours of ECE per week at any licensed provider. Above those funded hours, the hourly rate is $8 to $14 NZD. Full-time childcare under 3 years costs $1,200 to $2,200 NZD per month in Auckland and Wellington.

Wait lists at popular Auckland and Wellington ECE centres run 6 to 18 months. Add your child to the wait list before you arrive in NZ - many providers accept international registrations by email.