Education

Education in New Zealand is free and compulsory between the ages of 5 and 15.Graduating students are required to pass an attainment examination to obtain a school certificate.Although most children go to state schools，there are a number of private schools that take fee⁃paying students.These schools are also financially assisted by the state and are subject to inspection by the Education Department.

There are eight government⁃funded universities in New Zealand that provide undergraduate and postgraduate programs.They are the University of Auckland，the University of Waikato，Victoria University，the University of Canterbury，Massey University，the University of Otago，Auckland University of Technology and Lincoln University.In addition，there are also several colleges that provide technical training，and others that offer teacher training programs.