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Types of elections#
There are 4 types of board elections at state and state-integrated schools and kura:
- Triennial elections – held every 3 years to elect parent and staff representatives.
- Mid-term or staggered elections – held 18 months after the most recent triennial election, by schools that opt in, to elect some of the parent representatives.
- Student elections – held in September each year by schools that have students above Year 9.
- By-elections – to fill a vacancy for a parent, staff or student representative.
The Minister of Education has confirmed the date range for the triennial school board elections to be 3-19 September 2025. Wednesday 10 September will be the suggested common date.
What the board needs to do#
For each election, the board must set an election date and appoint a returning officer. The board should promote an upcoming election in the community to encourage involvement.
The returning officer follows the elections timeline set out in the regulations. Use Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand School Trustees Association) election planning tool to create a timeline.
Election planning – Te Whakarōputanga
After the election, the board should update us with the new board member’s details. Use the form below to do this.
Qualtrics Survey – Qualtrics Experience Management
As at July 2025, we have replaced the old Appendix 1 and 2 forms with a new survey. This has combined both the Appendix 1 and 2 Survey into 1 form.
If you have any questions about the form, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Help for returning officers#
We work in partnership with Te Whakarōputanga to support the school board election process.
Te Whakarōputanga is available to support returning officers with election matters.
Email: [email protected]
Returning officers – Te Whakarōputanga
Who can stand in board elections#
Any adult can stand as a candidate in an election for parent representatives. They do not need to be the parent of a student at the school but do need to be nominated by a parent.
Any staff member or student can be a candidate in an election for staff or student board members.
Who is ineligible#
There are some people who are ineligible to be board members. These are listed in the Education and Training Act 2020.
Education and Training Act 2020: Schedule 23(9) – New Zealand Legislation
Exemption process to be a board member
A person with a conviction for an offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Children’s Act 2014 can apply to the Secretary for Education for an exemption to serve as a board member.
Children’s Act 2014 Schedule 2 Specified offences – New Zealand Legislation
The exemption may be granted if the Secretary is satisfied the person would not pose an undue risk to the safety of children.
A person with a conviction listed in Schedule 2 that is concealed under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 does not need an exemption to serve on a school board.
Ministry of Justice – Clean Slate Scheme
For any queries on this process, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Electronic school board elections#
The Education (Board Elections) Regulations 2022 allow electronic voting for school board elections.
If a school wishes to use electronic voting, it must:
- use an accredited provider
- make paper voting forms available to voters that want to use them.
Accredited providers#
We evaluate potential providers using our assessment criteria. Read about the accreditation application process.
Accreditation Criteria Self-Declaration documentThere are currently 2 accredited providers:
- My School Election
- Schooled Election Pilot.
For more information about My School Election, contact them.
Website: School board election manager – My School Election
Email: [email protected]
For more information about Schooled Election Pilot, contact them.
Website: Schooled Election Pilot – Election Pilot
Email: [email protected]
Hui-based elections for kura#
Te Rūnanga Nui advises its kura on how to choose board members through hui.
Its advice adheres to the Education and Training Act 2020 and the board elections regulations.
Board elections funding#
We provide funding to schools for running elections. Mid-term and triennial election funding is provided through the operational grant instalment. By-election funding must be claimed directly from us by schools.
Mōhiohio anō
