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Our role from 1 September#
The change is part of reforms to strengthen the education system and clarify roles and responsibilities.
The transfer of these regulatory responsibilities to ERO allows us to focus on our strengths as system steward, policy leader and partner to the education sector.
We retain responsibility for early childhood education (ECE) policy, standard setting (determining regulatory requirements), and funding. For private schools and school hostels, we also retain policy and standard setting roles.
This aligns with best practice, where standards and criteria are set in 1 agency – the Ministry – and another agency – in this case ERO – is responsible for regulatory decision-making.
Early childhood education#
We will transfer ECE licensing and certification, and associated activities, to ERO on 1 September.
To support a smooth transition, we encouraged ECE services to submit applications by 27 July 2026 for:
- new licences
- certifications
- amendments and changes of management needed in September.
This will allow ERO to establish its new ways of working to deliver its new functions from 1 September, with minimum disruption to the sector.
We are aiming to complete an assessment of all probationary and certificated playgroups that expire in September ahead of the transfer.
Applications for new licences, certifications, amendments and changes of management needed in August should be provided to regional offices as usual.
The ERO website has more information about how it plans to work from 1 September.
ERO's incoming regulatory responsibilities – Education Review Office
Applications for new licences, certifications, amendments and changes of management#
During August, you should follow the usual processes. We encourage applications for September to be submitted by 27 July to help support the transition from us to ERO on 1 September.
If your application is underway on 1 September
We plan, where possible, to complete processing before 1 September. If an application has not been completed by then, we will work with ERO to make sure the application progresses and the transition is as smooth as possible.
Applications for September not received by 27 July
Depending on when it is received, your application may either be assessed and processed by us or transferred to ERO. We will let you know if you need to take any more action.
Applications transferred to ERO
We aim to process all applications within the required timeframes and always encourage applications to be made as early as possible. If you have a concern about your specific situation before 1 September, contact your regional office as usual.
September applications during the transition
ERO is taking over significant new regulatory responsibilities on 1 September. Early submission of September applications allows us to complete as much processing work as possible before the transfer. We will continue to work closely to support continuity of service.
If you have an issue or question
Before or on 1 September, you can contact your regional office.
From 1 September onwards, you can contact ERO.
ERO has more information on its website.
Private schools and hostels#
We will transfer the processing and approval of private school registration and licensing school hostels, and their associated activities, to the Education Review Office (ERO) on 1 September.
We are working with ERO for a smooth transition.
ERO has information about how it plans to work after 1 September on its website.
ERO's incoming regulatory responsibilities – Education Review Office
Private schools#
Schools partway through an application for a new private school
The Ministry and ERO are working together through this transition. We will let you know if you need to do anything. We are planning for applications that start with us to be completed by the same regional Ministry contact person.
Questions about an application
We are still the point of contact before 1 September 2026. ERO will become your initial point of contact from 1 September 2026 for new applications. If your application is already being processed by us, we will continue to be your primary point of contact.
School hostel regulation#
Active applications for a new hostel licence, renewal or change of operations
We aim to complete all active hostel applications, including renewals and change of operations, before the transfer date. If this is not possible, we will work with ERO and let you know if you need to do anything.
Questions about applications or more information
We keep the role of licensing authority until 1 September 2026. We are the point of contact until that time.
ERO is the point of contact from 1 September 2026 when they also become the hostel licensing authority.
For questions about hostel inspections as part of an application or future inspections, visit the ERO website.
Mōhiohio anō
