The New Zealand education system is built on the British three-tier model including primary schools, followed by secondary schools (intermediate and high schools) and tertiary education at universities and/or polytechs.
Education is compulsory for students between the ages of 6 and 16 (15 with parental and school permission). There are three types of schools: state, private, and state integrated schools which are those formerly private schools integrated into the state system.
Maori education has placed an increased emphasis on Maori schools, iwi education partnerships, increased attention on early childhood education, attention to Maori language, culture and beliefs, and professional development for mainstream teachers. Even with the increase in Maori schools, a large percentage of Maori students remain in mainstream English-medium schools. The Ministry of Education has created a separate set of standards for Maori education, but there appears to be some controversy over all the national standards.