Cohort Entry

2026 start dates:

Term 1 – 2 February and 9 March.
Term 2 – 20 April and 25th May.
Term 3 – 20 July and 24 August.
Term 4 – 12 October and 16 November

65 Adoption or revocation of cohort entry policy

(1) When adopting a proposed cohort entry policy for a State school or charter school, a board or sponsor must take all reasonable steps to discover and consider the views of the following persons about the policy and whether it is generally acceptable:

(a) parents of students at the school:

(b) employees of the board or sponsor at the school:

(c) early childhood services in the local community:

(d) parents of prospective students of the school.

(2) When considering whether to revoke a cohort entry policy, a board or sponsor must take all reasonable steps to discover and consider the views of the persons described in subsection (1) as to whether the policy should be revoked.

(3) A board or sponsor must take all reasonable steps to give notice of at least 1 term to the Secretary and the persons described in subsection (1) before a cohort entry policy takes effect or ceases to have effect.
Compare: 1989 No 80 s 5C

Section 65(1): amended, on 1 October 2024, by section 21(1) of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 40).

Section 65(1): amended, on 1 October 2024, by section 21(2) of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 40).

Section 65(1)?(b): amended, on 1 October 2024, by section 21(2) of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 40).

Section 65(2): amended, on 1 October 2024, by section 21(2) of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 40).

Section 65(3): amended, on 1 October 2024, by section 21(2) of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 40).

Changing to cohort entry

As with any policy change, school boards must consult with their community first. Boards must:

consult with staff, parents of current and prospective students, and local early learning services to consider whether they find the policy generally acceptable
give at least 1 term’s notice of the change to parents, staff and local early learning services (this could be done through their website, or in a local community newspaper).
Adoption or revocation of cohort entry policy: Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation