Cabinet has approved amendments to the Education (Hostels) Regulations 2005 to:

• strengthen oversight of school hostels
• improve accountability
• help ensure the wellbeing of boarders living in hostels remains at the centre of care.  

Most school hostels already follow good safety and overnight supervision practices, and the updated regulations will make sure all hostels meet clear minimum safety standards.  

These changes support the Government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care and included feedback from hostel operators and other stakeholders from engagements in 2025 and 2026.

The changes also support the transfer of relevant licensing functions from the Ministry to the Education Review Office (ERO), which took place on 1 September 2026.  

When the changes come into effect#

The amendments have been notified in the New Zealand Gazette and come into force on 1 January 2027. However, some proposals have later commencement dates. 

Existing hostels will have until 1 January 2028 to comply with the new overnight supervision and sleeping space requirements. 

The proposals relating to physical restraint will commence on 1 July 2027 to align with the physical restraint requirements for hostels introduced by the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Act 2026.  

This gives hostels, boarders, parents and whānau | families, and the regulator time to understand and prepare for the changes following finalisation of the regulatory amendments. 

Until the new requirements commence, hostels must continue to comply with all existing regulatory and licence requirements. ERO will continue its licensing, compliance-monitoring and inspection functions during the transition period.  

Operational guidance#

ERO is currently developing the operational guidance, forms, processes and internal training required to administer the amended regulations consistently. It will engage with hostel operators and relevant sector bodies as this material is developed. Implementation information will be published progressively.  

More information including policy and Cabinet papers is available below.

Changes to the Education (Hostels) Regulations 2005