Education in New Zealand
A Guide to the New Zealand Curriculum
Years 9 to 10 – New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
All students follow compulsory core subjects that include English, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and Physical Education. There are also elective subjects studied.
Years 11 to 13 – National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
From Year 11, students work towards an NCEA qualification.
In Year 11, NCEA Level 1, all students must reach minimum standards in English or Māori and Mathematics.
In Years 11-13 (ages 15-18) students study five subjects in total. Subject choices vary widely and include a wide range of traditional and non-traditional subjects.
In Year 13 (age 17) students undertake NCEA Level 3 and can also sit New Zealand Scholarships. There are no compulsory subjects. Students choose to study subjects relevant to their intended course of study at a tertiary institution. To take languages and sciences at this level, these subjects must first have been studied in Years 11 and 12 unless an exemption is given.
Useful Links
Complaints and Dispute Resolution
If you have a complaint that you would like to raise, please email international@hhs.school.nz
If you are not satisfied by the outcome of Henderson High School’s complaints process, you may notify the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Please refer to the NZQA website for more information on their role and process.
You may also be able to take your complaint to Study Complaints – a dispute resolution provider specialising in supporting international students in resolving disputes with their schools.
Education Review Office
The Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO) is the New Zealand government’s external education evaluation agency. They monitor, evaluate and report on the education and care of learners in schools and other pre tertiary education institutions in New Zealand.
Henderson High School received excellent feedback on our 2025 review.
2025 Provision for International Students Report:
“The school’s provision for international students is highly effective with systems and processes regularly evaluated and refined using a range of data sources, including student feedback. The Board receives regular reporting and are well-informed about international students’ wellbeing, learning and engagement.
International students are fully integrated into the school community and benefit from a rich curriculum, strong pastoral and academic support, and extensive co-curricular opportunities. The international department staff work closely with teachers to ensure each student’s learning goals are understood and met.”