About Te Kura
We are Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu, (formerly known as The Correspondence School). Te Kura is New Zealand’s largest school, providing education programmes to more than 23,000 students every year!
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and have diverse learning needs. They live throughout New Zealand as well as overseas. Students may be learning with us full time or part time, and they may stay on our roll for a few months or for all of their years at school.
We have regional offices Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. Our staff also work in communities where there are clusters of Te Kura students, such as Whangarei, Hastings and Nelson. This helps us to work with communities to support students’ learning.
Distance education for all ages
Te Kura is a state-funded distance education provider. We offer a wide range of personalised learning programmes and courses, mostly delivered online, from early childhood to NCEA Level 3. Students can enrol for a few credits in a specific course or for a full-time programme. Students of all ages are welcome, as long as you meet our eligibility criteria.
Curriculum
Our early childhood programme follows the national early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, while our Year 1–13 programme is based on the New Zealand Curriculum. At Years 11–13 we offer registered, accredited and approved courses in many subjects and at all levels of NCEA.
Flexible learning
Where do you want to study today: home? a café? The choice is yours! As New Zealand's largest state school, Te Kura offers a wide range of subjects and courses, with staff and students located across the country.
Personalised support
You are supported through:
- individual support (with your learning advisor to help you plan your programme of learning based on your passions, interests and learning goals)
- qualified subject teachers (just an online discussion, phone call or email away)
- access to advisories in many regions (where you can talk to teachers and meet other students).
If you are a full-time or early childhood student you’re also required to have a nominated supervisor to help you keep on track. This is usually a parent or close relative.
Contact with students and teachers
Although Te Kura is a distance school, you won’t feel alone. You will get the opportunity to interact with other students at event days, subject days and advisories. You’ll also share and exchange ideas with your teachers and fellow students through discussions on My Te Kura, our online learning environment.
Our teachers will stay in close contact with you, including ongoing face-to-face meetings if you need it.
Interactive online learning
Most of our courses are online or include supplementary online resources, particularly at Years 7–13. Each online course includes interactive online modules featuring audio-visual resources, quizzes and other online activities to check your understanding and reinforce your learning. You’ll have the support of your teachers and other students through discussion forums, where you can share ideas and work collaboratively. There are also plenty of offline activities..