New exemption rules#

The new attendance exemption rules follow changes to the Education and Training Act 2020. The changes mean the Secretary for Education can make rules on:

• the reasons a student can be excused from attending school
• what evidence is needed to support an exemption
• how long an exemption can last.

This creates a clearer and more consistent way for schools and kura to record absences, manage exemptions and report attendance information.

Students may be excused from attending school due to:

• medical absences
• bereavement
• cultural or religious events
• recognised provincial, national or international events
• exceptional circumstances.

Framework for absence#

The rules also introduce a framework for absence from school.

The longer a student is away from school, the more evidence will be needed to explain their absence. For absences of 11 or more consecutive school days, principals and tumuaki will need to get reliable evidence before they can approve an exemption.

Principals and tumuaki will still decide whether to grant attendance exemptions. But they will have clearer rules and guidance to help them make those decisions.

Changes to attendance codes#

Alongside the new rules, attendance codes will be updated, including 4 new exemption codes. This will help your school or kura record attendance more consistently. Student management systems (SMS) and Ministry attendance reporting will be updated with the new revised codes before the changes come into effect.

Learn more about the changes to attendance codes.

Support for schools and kura#

Your school or kura does not need to make any immediate changes.

We have guidance, resources and support to help you put the changes in place ahead of Term 1, 2027. Until then, you should keep using the same exemption processes, attendance codes and guidance you use now.

Webinars#

We are hosting webinars in November to give you an overview of the new rules and the changes to attendance codes.

These will be useful for principals and tumuaki, attendance leads and any staff responsible for recording attendance in a SMS.

Attendance webinars