Charter schools are state-funded institutions operating under contracts between the Crown and approved sponsors (organizations or businesses endorsed by the independent Charter School Authorisation Board).
Sponsors enjoy greater flexibility in areas such as teaching, curriculum design, governance, scheduling, and funding, aiming to foster innovation in education.
In return for this flexibility, they face enhanced oversight and accountability.
Each sponsor signs a contract with the Charter School Agency, which outlines the school’s goals for student achievement and defines its character (such as cultural, religious, sporting, military, or other focuses). This character may not be immediately evident, especially if the charter school is a converted state school.
Failure to meet targets can result in contract termination or other corrective actions.
Except for specialist schools, all state and state-integrated schools can apply to become charter schools.
Charter schools are required to accept all eligible students unless they are oversubscribed.
The term charter schools | kura hourua represents the collaboration between school operators and the government, as well as with their communities. The name Kura Hourua is inspired by ‘Waka hourua,’ meaning ‘double-hulled canoe.’
Charter schools can be newly established or converted from state and state-integrated schools.
The government plans to open the first charter schools in Term 1 of 2025.
Source: Charter School Agency NZ
Difference Between Charter Schools and State Schools