Kia ora e te whānau
We know that understanding the education system, and helping rangatahi (young people) navigate it, can be difficult.
This page covers practical information for parents and whānau, including:
- how NCEA works
- how learners can get support to sit exams and internal assessments
- how to help rangatahi prepare for tertiary education.
You can also find links to other helpful pages and resources across our site.
On this page
Explainer articles
We're creating short, easy-to-read articles that cover areas of interest and key questions you and your learners might have. We're adding new content regularly and would like to hear from you if there's something you'd like us to cover in the future.
- NCEA for Parents and Whānau - A short summary of how NCEA works
- Choosing a tertiary provider - Helping a young person consider tertiary education
- Understanding the Code: A Guide for New Zealand Tertiary Students
- Understanding the Code for International Learners in New Zealand
- Working or studying overseas – advice for learners, parents and whānau
What would you like to learn more about?
Can't see what you're looking for on this page?
If there's something you would like to see covered in future articles, we would love to hear your suggestions.
Navigating NCEA
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main qualification for secondary school students in New Zealand.
NCEA is actually 3 separate qualifications: NCEA Level 1, NCEA Level 2 and NCEA Level 3.
Most students start NCEA Level 1 when they're in year 11 at school.
NCEA is based on credits. Students earn credits by achieving standards, each of which reflects a different area of knowledge and skills. Students need a certain number of credits to achieve each level of NCEA.
Because it's a flexible system, your kids can choose from lots of subjects and learn about what interests them.
Learn more
Literacy and Numeracy | Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau
Literacy and Numeracy or Te Reo Matatini me to Pāngarau are an important part of NCEA.
Your rangatahi need 10 credits in Literacy or Te Reo Matatini and 10 credits in Numeracy or Pāngarau to achieve any level of NCEA. They only need to earn these credits once.
Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau
NZQA resources and videos
Find the Guide to NCEA booklet and How NCEA works videos in a range of languages.
University Entrance
Students need University Entrance (UE) to go from school to university. To get UE, your kids need NCEA Level 3 and to meet the literacy and numeracy requirements.
Preparing for exams and assessments
A student's work is assessed both internally and externally.
Internal assessment means the school marks and grades student work. External assessment means NZQA marks and grades it.
There are a few different types of external assessment, including digital and paper exams, and portfolios and reports.
Exams and assessments can be stressful for young people, especially if it's their first time. You can help by keeping them healthy, focused and providing support as they study.
Student assessment hub
Full of useful resources to help students (and their whānau) navigate the NCEA exam, NZ Scholarship and results release season.
Special Assessment Conditions
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) help students with particular learning needs complete assessments. There are a range of support options
Learn more
Supporting whānau
Te Pa Mātauranga
There are lots of subjects available in te reo Māori, from learning areas that include Ngā Toi, Pūtaiao, Hauora, and Tikanga-ā-Iwi.
There are also 2 reo Māori subjects: Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Rangatira.
Explore reo Māori subjects across Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and the New Zealand Curriculum:
Choosing subjects
Tips for whānau on guiding your rangatahi and helping them choose their NCEA subjects.
NCEA me te Whānau
Rangatahi do better in school when whānau are involved in their learning. NCEA me te Whānau workshops help Māori students, parents and communities understand NCEA.
We can run an NCEA me te Whānau workshop at your marae, kura or community event.
Supporting Pasifika families
Pacific language resources
Find information about NCEA and secondary school in your language:
NCEA resources in Pacific languages
Pacific language subjects
There are 5 different Pacific language subjects in the New Zealand curriculum, including Gagana Sāmoa and Lea Faka-Tonga:
Information for Pasifika parents
How you can help your kids do well at school, and other ways to support learners.
Information for Pasifika parents
NCEA ma le Pasifika
NCEA ma le Pasifika workshops teach Pacific family and community groups about NCEA: