Homeschool Wellington
Homeschooling in Wellington
9 local places and programs we've checked for homeschool families in Wellington — museums, libraries, nature programs, excursions and local groups. Programs, dates and prices change, so check each provider's site before you plan a visit.
New to homeschooling in Wellington? Start with our guide to the rules, browse the full New Zealand resource directory, or read about finding groups and co-ops.
Reading activities
- Free + paid optionsAll ages
Wellington City Libraries membership
Free library membership for Wellington City residents, with other options for people elsewhere in the region. Members can borrow from branch libraries across the city and use the libraries' eResources from home.
Visit wcl.govt.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Arts and crafts
- Free + paid optionsAges 5–18
City Gallery Wellington education
Term-time gallery programmes and workshops for school groups linked to current exhibitions, including a free sculpture trail. Programmes are written for schools, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit citygallery.org.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Educational excursions
- PaidAges 5–18
Museums Wellington education experiences
Paid education programmes for Years 1–13 across Wellington Museum, Space Place, the Cable Car Museum and Nairn Street Cottage, on topics such as early Wellington settlement, urban water and the Wahine disaster. Programmes are written for schools, so ask whether a home-education group can book.
Visit museumswellington.org.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAges 8–18
He Tohu school visits (National Library)
A booked visit to He Tohu at the National Library, where New Zealand's founding constitutional documents are displayed, combined with a walk to and tour of Parliament. Bookings are required and the programme is written for school groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book.
Visit natlib.govt.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAll ages
Government House Wellington tours
Free tours and education visits to the Governor-General's residence for early childhood to adult groups, in person or by Zoom, with free curriculum-linked resources. All visits must be booked in advance.
Visit gg.govt.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAges 10+
Visiting the Supreme Court
Free guided tours of New Zealand's Supreme Court building, across the road from Parliament, for school and other groups. Visitors pass through security screening; check the site for how to book.
Visit courtsofnz.govt.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Outdoor learning
- PaidAges 3–18
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne education
Education visits to the fenced urban ecosanctuary in Karori, supporting the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and Te Whāriki. Some programmes are funded for particular schools only, so home-education groups should contact the education team about options; check the site for current prices.
Visit visitzealandia.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) - Free + paid optionsAges 5–18
Wellington Gardens education
Education sessions at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, Ōtari-Wilton's Bush and other city gardens, covering plant uses, food growing and local history, plus self-guided trail resources. Sessions are booked by schools, so ask whether a home-education group can book.
Visit wellingtongardens.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAges 8–18
Education at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
Self-guided field trips and resources for exploring Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, including trips on Wellington's hidden streams and on people and places around the park. Groups can also ask about guided tours.
Visit nzhistory.govt.nz ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How homeschooling works in Wellington
Homeschooling is legal in New Zealand when your child holds an exemption from enrolment from the Ministry of Education.
Homeschooling in Wellington: common questions
Is homeschooling legal in Wellington?
Yes. Homeschooling is legal in New Zealand when your child holds an exemption from enrolment from the Ministry of Education.
Where can homeschoolers go for excursions in Wellington?
Options we've checked include Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne education, Museums Wellington education experiences and Wellington Gardens education. Many programs are designed for school groups, so ask whether homeschool families or groups can book, and check current dates and prices.
Do libraries in Wellington help homeschoolers?
Libraries we've listed for Wellington include Wellington City Libraries membership and He Tohu school visits (National Library). Check each library's site for membership, programs and online learning resources that homeschool families can use.
Can I get homeschool tutoring in Wellington?
Many families use a tutor for a tricky subject, senior study or test preparation. Our homeschool tutoring guide explains when it helps and what to ask. Success Tutoring runs learning centres around New Zealand — check successtutoring.com for a centre near Wellington.
Extra help in Wellington
If your child needs support in a particular subject, our homeschool tutoring guide explains when a tutor helps and what to ask before you sign up.