Homeschooling as at 1 July 2007

Statistics on homeschooling

At 1 July 2007 there were 6,473 homeschooled students recorded on the Ministry of Education’s homeschooling database, which represents less than one per cent of total school enrolments at July 2007. These students belonged to 3,349 families.

Homeschooling 1998-2007

In 1998 there was a total of 5,274 homeschoolers; in 2007 there were 6,473 - an increase of 22.8 %.

Between 1 July 2006 and 1 July 2007 the number of homeschoolers increased by 175 students - an increase of 2.8 %.

Figure 1 - Number of Homeschooled Students in NZ 1998-2007

Number Commencing Homeschooling

Between 30 June 2006 and 1 July 2007 , 1,298 students commenced homeschooling - an increase of 7.9 % compared with the number starting during the previous year.

Of those starting in the 12 months ending 30 June 2007 :

• 39.9 % were aged six years old
• 81.8 % were aged within the primary school age range (5-12 years)

Figure 2 - Homeschoolers Commencing Between July 2006 and July 2007

Number Finishing Homeschooling

Between 30 June 2006 and 1 July 2007 , 1,115 students finished homeschooling. Of these:

• 183 students (16.4 %) finished their homeschooling within a year of starting
• 692 students (62.1 %) finished within four years
• 423 students (37.9 %) had been homeschooled for 5 or more years.

Figure 3 - Duration of Homeschoolers Finishing between July 2006 and July 2007

Age Distribution of Homeschoolers

Of those being homeschooled, 64.7 % were in the primary-school age range (5-12 years).

Homeschoolers by Region

West Coast, Northland and Marlborough regions had the highest proportions of homeschoolers compared to the total school populations in those regions.

Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Otago had the lowest proportions of homeschoolers in relation to their total school populations.

The majority of homeschoolers (74.2%) reside in the North Island with 24.5 % in Auckland.

Figure 4 - Percentage of Homeschoolers by Region at 1 July 2007 (relative to the total school population)

Ethnicity of Homeschoolers

Almost 93% of homeschoolers reported their ethnicity. Of these:

• 83.8 % identified as European/Pakeha
• 9.6 % identified as Maori
• a lower proportion of homeschoolers identified as being Maori, Asian or Pacific Islands compared to students attending regular schools.

Figure 5 - Comparison of School Students and Homeschoolers by Ethnicity at 1 July 2007