Early learning sector organisations

We work with various education agencies as well as organisations dedicated to early learning to both support the sector and help develop strategic policies.

A number of sector organisations are members of the Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC), with whom we work closely to achieve common goals.

Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC)

The organisations are grouped under:

Agencies that support the early learning sector

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand | Matatū Aotearoa

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is the professional organisation for teachers. It represents all teachers from early childhood education through to primary and secondary schooling in English and Māori medium schools. The council promotes all that’s best about teaching – good practice, new ideas, inspirational leadership.

The council provides leadership and helps strengthen the regulatory framework and disciplinary regime for teaching. It aims to boost the status of teaching, strengthening accountability and bringing consistently high standards across the education system.

Tel: 04 471 0852(external link)

Email: enquiries@teachingcouncil.nz

Teaching Council website(external link)

Education Review Office (ERO)

The Education Review Office is the government department that evaluates and reports on the education and care of learners in schools, kura, Kōhanga Reo, puna reo and early childhood services. ERO reports are used by parents, teachers, early childhood education managers, school principals and trustees, and by government policy makers.

How the Ministry and ERO work together [DOCX, 19 KB]

Tel: 04 499 2489(external link)

Email: info@ero.govt.nz

ERO website(external link)

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) administers the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) for secondary school students. It is responsible for the quality assurance of non-university tertiary training providers. NZQA’s priority is to support a range of clients by providing effective and efficient services, within its statutory mandate, that meet its clients’ specific needs. NZQA ensures that New Zealand qualifications are valued as credible and robust both nationally and internationally. 

Tel: 0800 697 296(external link)(external link)

NZQA website(external link)

Te Kura – The Correspondence School

Te Kura provides distance education from early childhood education to year 13. Their learning advisors, teachers and in-region staff work with students, their whānau and communities to help children and students achieve their potential.

Tel: 04 473 6841(external link) or 0800 65 99 88(external link)

Email: info@tekura.school.nz

Te Kura website(external link)

Teachers' Refresher Course Committee

The Teachers’ Refresher Course Committee provides inspirational and unique professional development for professional learning communities within and across the education sectors.

Tel: 0800 872 211(external link)

Email: info@trcc.org.nz

TRCC website(external link)

Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)

The Teaching and Learning Research Initiative seeks to enhance the links between educational research and teaching practices to improve outcomes for learners.

Email: tlri@nzcer.org.nz

TLRI website(external link)

New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER)

The New Zealand Council for Educational Research is an independent educational research organisation generating ideas, questions, tools, products and services to meet educational needs.

Tel: 04 384 7939(external link)(external link)

NZCER website(external link)

New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE)

NZARE connects those interested in education research, tertiary institutions, schools and early childhood education services, government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, and the New Zealand Council for Research in Education.

Email: admin@nzare.org.nz

NZARE website(external link)

Education Gazette

The New Zealand Education Gazette is the official magazine of the Ministry of Education. It is published under the authority of the Minister of Education, always on a Monday, every 2 (occasionally 3) weeks, excluding January.

Tel: 04 917 3990(external link)

Email: admin@edgazette.govt.nz

Education Gazette website(external link)

Tāhūrangi

Tāhūrangi is a bilingual education portal. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education. It provides New Zealand early learning services and schools with a wealth of information, resources, and curriculum materials to enhance teaching and learning, and raise student achievement. It also provides an advanced professional development for teaching staff and school managers. 

Email: tahurangi@education.govt.nz

Tāhūrangi website(external link)

Early learning service providers and member organisations we work with through ECAC

Advocates for Early Learning Excellence

An online social media forum for teachers and other early learning professionals to discuss various early childhood education topics.

Facebook Advocates ELE(external link)

Barnardos New Zealand

Barnardos New Zealand provides child and family services in communities around the country. Their services vary from area to area.

Phone: 04 385 7560(external link) or 0800 BARNARDOS(external link)

Barnardos website(external link)

BestStart

BestStart have over 270 centres nationwide. It is committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early childhood education.

Phone: 0508 BESTSTART

Email: info@best-start.org

BestStart website(external link)

The Christian Early Childhood Education Association of Aotearoa (CECEAA)

The Christian Early Childhood Education Association is an inter-denominational organisation that aims to support unit services and individuals who work from a Christian world view. It provides advice, support, resources and friendship to teachers, parents, children, early childhood education services and churches.

Phone: 027 937 9340(external link)(external link)

Christian Early Childhood Education Association website(external link)

Early Childhood Council (ECC)

The Early Childhood Council represents the interests of independently owned early childhood education centres in New Zealand. It promotes the provision of quality early childhood education services. Membership is voluntary, and is open to all licensed independent early childhood education centres.

Tel: 0800 742 742(external link)

Email: admin@ecc.org.nz

ECC website(external link)

Early Childhood Leadership Group

The Early Childhood Leadership Group represents many kindergarten associations responsible for teaching almost 40 per cent of the kindergarten children in New Zealand. Members are committed to combining the traditional kindergarten model with modern delivery by offering different kinds of service for different kinds of family.

Phone: 09 373 5635(external link)

Email: info@ecleadership.org.nz

Early Intervention Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (EIAANZ)

The Early Intervention Association of Aotearoa New Zealand provides a professional body for early intervention practitioners, and operates under a charitable trust. The association has developed a national code of ethics, provides strong advocacy at national level. It has established international links in the field of early intervention. It convenes a biennial national conference and symposia, and produces a membership newsletter several times a year.

EIAANZ website(external link)

Federation of Rudolf Steiner Schools in New Zealand

The Federation of Rudolf Steiner Schools is a registered incorporated society that represents member schools, early childhood and adult education centres. These work out of the educational indications developed by Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner. The federation’s purpose is to promote and safeguard the integrity of Steiner education in New Zealand and it seeks to support its continued development.

Phone: 09 817 4386(external link)

Email: steiner.federation@gmail.com

Federation of Rudolf Steiner Schools website(external link)

Hospital Play Specialists Association of Aotearoa/New Zealand Inc.

Hospital Play Specialists Association of Aotearoa/New Zealand promotes play in hospitals, advocates for health care environments that support children's and young people's well-being, and supports the role of hospital play specialists. The organisation provides therapeutic play and recreation programmes for infants, children and young people, both individually and in groups.

Email: info@hospitalplay.org.nz

Hospital Play Specialists website(external link)

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand is a collective of school, organisation and individual members that work together to provide and promote Montessori education in New Zealand. Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand is governed by a voluntary council and managed by an executive and administration officer, in consultation with members.

Phone: 027 448 5525(external link)

Email: ce@montessori.org.nz

Montessori Aotearoa website(external link)

New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI)

The New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa is New Zealand's largest education union. NZEI negotiates collective agreements, provides member assistance, coordinates member activities and campaigns on education and employment issues. 

Phone: 0800 NZEI HELP (0800 693 443(external link))

Email: nzei@nzei.org.nz

NZEI website(external link)

New Zealand Home-Based Early Childhood Education Association

It is a membership organisation that supports the delivery of quality home-based early childhood education throughout New Zealand. Membership benefits include events and training days, tools and resources, and professional advice and advocacy.

Tel: 04 974 5518(external link)

Email: admin@hbca.org.nz

New Zealand Home-Based Early Childhood Education Association website(external link)

New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated (NZK)

New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated is the umbrella organisation representing 26 regional kindergarten associations across New Zealand. NZK member associations are responsible for over 430 kindergartens.

Phone: 04 471 0775(external link) 

Email: contact@nzkindergarten.org.nz

NZK website(external link)

Playcentre Aotearoa

Playcentres are parent-led early childhood education centres that offer high quality education for children in small mixed-age groups. Playcentres also offer free parenting and early childhood education for parent members.

Phone: 027 700 1439(external link) 

Email: administrator@playcentre.org.nz

Playcentre Aotearoa website(external link)

The Kōhanga Reo National Trust

This is a charitable trust that aims to protect te reo Māori, tikanga me ngā āhuatanga Māori by targeting the participation of mokopuna and whānau into the kōhanga reo movement. Its vision is to totally immerse kōhanga mokopuna in te reo, tikanga me ngā āhuatanga Māori. 

Tel: 04 381 8750(external link)

Email: info@kohanga.ac.nz

Kōhanga Reo National Trust website(external link)

Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand

Te Rito Maioha provides advocacy, advice and leadership to its members. Te Rito Maioha also offers early childhood education qualification programmes.

Phone: 0800 244 532(external link)(external link)

Te Rito Maioha website(external link)

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