GuidesA closer look

What is an ERO review?

What the Education Review Office does, how it reviews schools today, what an ERO school report contains, and how to find and read one.

Every statement on this page comes from an official source: Education Review Office.

What is ERO?

The Education Review Office (ERO), Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, is the Government's education evaluation agency.¹ ERO reviews education services and providers, reports publicly on their quality and performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and supports positive outcomes for learners.² ERO says its reports help parents, whānau, communities, education providers and decision-makers understand how well education is performing and where improvement is needed.³ ERO's functions and powers come from the Education and Training Act 2020 and associated regulations.⁴

On KuraHub school pages, the text under the ERO heading comes from ERO's own published report for that school.

ERO is not the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education remains responsible for policy, legislation, curriculum, funding, and setting regulatory standards and criteria.⁵

How often are schools reviewed?

ERO reviews and reports on English-medium state and state-integrated schools every three to four years.⁶ On its page about Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori reports, ERO says it typically reviews kura approximately every three years and publishes a report on its website after each review.⁷ In 2024/25, ERO reported on 745 schools and kura, which was 30% of all schools and kura.⁸

How ERO reviews schools: Te Ara Huarau

ERO introduced its current approach to school reviews, known as Te Ara Huarau, in 2020/21.⁹ Te Ara Huarau is a participatory and collaborative process in which ERO works with the school to review what it provides, with a shared goal of supporting learner success.¹⁰ Its phases are:

Hauhake (Evaluating for Improvement): every school has a Hauhake review every three to four years.¹¹
Pārekereke (Planning for Improvement): the school uses ERO's findings from the Hauhake phase and builds the recommended next steps into its school planning.¹²
Ngaki / Atawhai (Implementing for Improvement): if a school needs a higher level of support to make the improvements needed to lift learner outcomes, ERO regularly monitors its progress and recommends further support if necessary.¹³

ERO says most schools will only engage with it during the Hauhake phase, and can carry out the other two phases independently of ERO.¹⁴

Judgements are made against a shared framework. ERO's evaluators use the School Improvement Framework (SIF) alongside schools as part of the review process.¹⁵ The SIF emphasises the areas with the greatest impact on learner outcomes: school leadership, teaching and learning, and curriculum.¹⁶ The SIF was updated in 2026 to align with the Education and Training Amendment Act 2025 and the Teaching Council's Standards for the Teaching Profession.¹⁷

What happens during a review?

During a review, ERO meets with school leaders, board members and students, observes classrooms in action, and checks that the school complies with legal requirements.¹⁸ Most schools have ERO evaluators on site for two to three days.¹⁹ Some schools are visited by a pair or small team of ERO evaluators.²⁰ Smaller schools have one ERO evaluator.²¹

ERO encourages schools to have representative leaders take part as members of the evaluation team.²² During the onsite visit, the evaluation team makes judgements about the school's performance using the School Improvement Framework, and the Raupapa Ako Framework where it applies.²³ As part of the review, ERO asks the school board to attest that it meets regulatory and legislative requirements.²⁴

From unconfirmed report to published report

ERO writes a school report based on the evidence gathered during the evaluation.²⁵ This report is called the unconfirmed report. It goes through a quality assurance process, to make sure its findings align with the evidence, and is emailed to the principal and the presiding member of the school board.²⁶ School boards review and respond to unconfirmed reports, and can provide feedback or further evidence.²⁷ If a school does not agree with the findings, it can send ERO an explanation and supporting documents, which ERO considers as part of due process.²⁸

ERO emails the confirmed report to the principal and the board's presiding member before publishing it on ERO's website.²⁹ ERO encourages schools to share the confirmed report with the school community.³⁰

How a review becomes a published report

Onsite visit
During a review, ERO meets with school leaders, board members and students, observes classrooms in action, and checks that the school complies with legal requirements.¹⁸
Report written
ERO writes a school report based on the evidence gathered during the evaluation.²⁵
Unconfirmed report sent
This report is called the unconfirmed report. It goes through a quality assurance process, to make sure its findings align with the evidence, and is emailed to the principal and the presiding member of the school board.²⁶
Board responds
School boards review and respond to unconfirmed reports, and can provide feedback or further evidence.²⁷
Confirmed report published
ERO emails the confirmed report to the principal and the board's presiding member before publishing it on ERO's website.²⁹

What is in a school report?

ERO updated its school reports in 2026.³¹ The new school report has three parts: a visual snapshot, an overview table of all the judgements, and a full report with more detail.³²

For parents, the report includes:

A context statement describing the school, the community it serves and what is important to it.³³
A snapshot and overview showing 14 judgements about student success and wellbeing, including attendance, assessment, achievement and progress.³⁴ The report has 16 judgements if the school has rumaki or reo rua classes.³⁵
Where appropriate, a summary of the quality of teaching and learning through te reo Māori in rumaki (full immersion) and reo rua (bilingual) classrooms.³⁶
A summary of the school board's attestation that it meets legislative and regulatory requirements.³⁷
Where appropriate, reporting on school hostels and on provision for international students.³⁸

For school leaders, the report includes:

Clear next steps for improvement: the areas the school needs to focus on improving to lift student outcomes.³⁹
Recommendations for additional support or intervention, if the school is of concern.⁴⁰

The judgements in the reports align with the School Improvement Framework.⁴¹ Because attendance is one of the Government's key education targets, ERO reports on it for every school.⁴²

Since introducing the new report format, ERO has listened to feedback from schools and sector representatives, and has made some adjustments to the format in response.⁴³ ERO has removed colour coding from the snapshot.⁴⁴ The more detailed overview now separates judgements about student outcomes from judgements about school conditions, and shows them in a strengths-based order.⁴⁵

Is an ERO report a grade or a ranking?

No. ERO does not give schools a single overall grade.⁴⁶ ERO says schools have unique contexts, strengths and challenges, and cannot be meaningfully or accurately ranked.⁴⁷ Instead, reports present multiple judgements across different areas of practice, aligned to the School Improvement Framework.⁴⁸

Reports also take a school's circumstances into account. ERO evaluators consider each school's context, including factors beyond its direct control.⁴⁹ If a school is making strong progress from a low starting point, the report recognises this.⁵⁰

Older-style reports

Not every report you see will be in the new format. Some reports on ERO's website are still in the older format.⁵¹ ERO says its reports changed in early 2026, and older-style reports look different and use some specific language.⁵² ERO publishes a guide to its school reports for reports published before April 2026.⁵³ That guide explains the judgement terms used in the older reports and what ERO looked for in those reviews.⁵⁴

If a report looks different from the format described above, check whether it is an older-style report, and use ERO's guide to those reports when reading it.

Does ERO use AI to write reports?

ERO uses AI-assisted drafting to help develop the first draft of school report narratives from evaluation evidence.⁵⁵ ERO says all synthesis, analysis, judgements, findings and final report content remain fully human-led and are the responsibility of ERO staff.⁵⁶

When a school needs more support

If ERO decides a school needs more support to lift learner success, it recommends that the Ministry of Education provide additional support or intervention, and this is included in the school report.⁵⁷ To make sure that support is making a difference, ERO monitors the school's progress against the improvement actions in its report, with regular check-ins and progress visits.⁵⁸ Progress reports are written after a progress visit and describe the school's progress towards the improvement actions in its most recent ERO report. They are given to the school and are not published on ERO's website.⁵⁹

When ERO identifies that a school may be of serious concern, the Chief Review Officer must notify the Secretary for Education and the Minister within two working days.⁶⁰

Reports for Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori kura

ERO reviews of kaupapa Māori and Māori-medium kura reflect the philosophies of these settings, so the structure, language and focus of reports may differ between settings.⁶¹ These reports describe what matters most for learner success, including identity, language and culture, te reo Māori, teaching and learning, leadership, governance, wellbeing, progress and achievement.⁶² Reports for Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori kura are available in both te reo Māori and English.⁶³

How to find and read a report

ERO's school reports are published on ERO's website after a school review.⁶⁴ ERO's website has a search where you can find a school's report.⁶⁵ ERO has a two-page explainer about the new reports for parents and whānau.⁶⁶ ERO's Guide to Schools gives practical advice on choosing a school, understanding school performance, asking questions and raising concerns.⁶⁷ The guide sets out the 14 key areas that matter most for education quality, with suggested questions for parents to ask, for example when visiting schools.⁶⁸

A report is a starting point for questions, not the last word. If you are worried about something at school, ERO says it is usually best to start by talking with your child's teacher or another school leader.⁶⁹

Sources

Every statement on this page comes from an official page, quoted in full here.

Each numbered statement above is followed here by the words of the official page it comes from. Every quote was checked against its page on 5 October 2026.

“We are the Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, the Government's education evaluation agency.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us ↑
“ERO reviews education services and providers, reports publicly on quality and performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and supports positive outcomes for learners.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us ↑
“Our reports help parents, whānau, communities, education providers and decision-makers understand how well education is performing and where improvement is needed.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us ↑
“ERO's functions and powers are established through the Education and Training Act 2020 and associated regulations.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us ↑
“The Ministry of Education remains responsible for policy, legislation, curriculum, funding, and setting regulatory standards and criteria.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us ↑
“ERO reviews and reports on English-medium state and state-integrated schools every 3-4 years.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO typically reviews kura across Aotearoa approximately every three years and publishes review reports on its website following each review.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“In 2024/25, ERO reported on 745 schools and kura (30% of all schools and kura).”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-newsletters/ero-provides-a-… ↑
“We introduced a new approach to school reviews in 2020/21 known as Te Ara Huarau.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Te Ara Huarau is a participatory and collaborative review process where ERO works with the school to review provision, with a shared goal of supporting learner success.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Hauhake | Evaluating for Improvement – every school has a Hauhake review every 3-4 years.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Pārekereke | Planning for Improvement – schools use ERO’s findings from the Hauhake phase and integrate the recommended next steps for improvement into their school planning.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Ngaki / Atawhai | Implementing for Improvement – if a school needs a higher level of support to bring about the necessary improvements to lift learner outcomes, ERO will regularly monitor the school’s progress and recommend further support if necessary.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Most schools will only engage with ERO during the Hauhake phase and have the capability to undertake Pārekereke and Ngaki/Atawhai independently from ERO.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO’s evaluators use the SIF alongside schools as part of the school review process.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“The SIF aligns to ERO’s School Evaluation Indicators and emphasises those areas that have the greatest impact on learner outcomes; school leadership, teaching and learning, and curriculum.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“The SIF was updated in 2026 to align with the Education and Training Amendment Act 2025, and Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Standards for the Teaching Profession.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“We meet with school leaders, board members, students, observe classrooms in action and verify compliance with legislative requirements.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Most schools will have ERO evaluators onsite for 2-3 days.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“some schools will have a pair or small team of ERO evaluators visit the school.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“Smaller schools will have one ERO evaluator.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO encourages schools to have representative leaders participate as part of the evaluation team.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“During the onsite visit, the evaluation team discuss what was observed during the classroom visits, make judgements about the school’s performance using the School Improvement Framework and Raupapa Ako Framework (where applicable)”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“As part of the review process, we ask boards to attest to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO will write a school report, based on the evidence gathered during the evaluation.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“This report is called the unconfirmed report. The unconfirmed report undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process before it is sent to the school, ensuring that the report’s findings align with the evidence. The unconfirmed report is emailed to the school principal and presiding member of the school board.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“School boards review and respond to unconfirmed reports, and can provide feedback or further evidence.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“if they don’t agree with the report’s findings, schools can send an explanation and any relevant supporting documentation; and we will consider this as part of due process.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO will email a copy of the confirmed report to the school principal and presiding member of the board before it is published on ERO’s website.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“We encourage schools to share the confirmed report with the school community.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO updated its school reports in 2026.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“The new school report has three parts: A visual snapshot An overview table of all of the judgements A full report with more detail.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“A context statement that describes the school and the community it serves and what is important to it.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“An easy-to-understand snapshot and an overview showing 14 judgements about student success and wellbeing, including attendance, assessment, achievement, and progress”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“the report will have16 judgements if the school has rumaki / reo rua”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“A summary about the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of te reo Māori in rumaki (full immersion) and reo rua (bilingual) classrooms, where appropriate”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“A summary of the school board’s attestation to meeting legislative and regulatory requirements”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Reporting on the provision in School Hostels and for International Students, where appropriate”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Clear next steps for improvement - these are the areas that the school needs to focus on improving, to lift student outcomes”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Recommendations for additional support or intervention, if the school is of concern”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“The judgements presented in the reports align with the School Improvement Framework (SIF).”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“As attendance is one of the Government’s key education targets, ERO will report on this measure for every school.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Since introducing the new school report format, we have listened carefully to feedback from schools and sector representatives. In response to this feedback, we have made some adjustments to the report format.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“We have removed colour coding from the snapshot.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“The more detailed overview section now separates judgements for student outcomes and school conditions, and judgements are shown in a strengths-based order.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“We do not provide a single overall grade for schools.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Schools have unique contexts, strengths, and challenges, and cannot be meaningfully or accurately ranked.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“The reports present multiple judgements across different areas of practice, aligned to the School Improvement Framework.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Evaluators consider each school’s context, including factors beyond its direct control.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“If a school is making strong progress from a low starting point, this will be recognised in the report.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Some reports on our website will be in the older format.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Our reports changed in early 2026. Older style ERO reports look different and use some specific language.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“A guide to ERO’s school reports for reports published before April 2026”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“It explains the judgement terms we use in our older school reports, what we looked for as part of those reviews”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“ERO uses AI-assisted drafting to support the development of initial school report narratives from evaluation evidence.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“All synthesis, analysis, judgements, findings, and final report content remain fully human-led and are the responsibility of ERO staff”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“If ERO determines that a school needs more support to bring about the changes necessary to lift learner success, we will recommend that the Ministry of Education provides additional support or intervention. This information is included in the school report.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“To make sure that this support is making a difference, we will monitor the school’s progress against the improvement actions outlined in the school’s report, with regular check-ins and progress visits.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Progress reports are written following a progress visit. This report provides information about the progress the school is making towards the improvement actions set out in the school’s most recent ERO report. Progress reports are provided to the school, and are not published on our website.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“When ERO identifies a school may be of serious concern, the Chief Review Officer must notify the Secretary for Education and the Minister within two working days.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-reviews-in-e… ↑
“ERO reviews of kaupapa Māori and Māori medium kura reflect the philosophies of these settings and the agreed approaches for reviewing in these spaces. This means the structure, language, and focus of reports may differ between settings.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“These reports provide valuable information for whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and kura leaders, describing what matters most for learner success, including identity, language and culture, te reo Māori, teaching and learning, leadership, governance, wellbeing, progress and achievement.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“Reports for Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori kura are available in both te reo Māori and English.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“ERO’s school reports are published on ERO’s website following a school review.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“You can search for a school’s report here.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“A two-page explainer about the new reports for parents and whānau can be found below.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-schools-and-kura/learn-about-school-and-k… ↑
“ERO’s new Guide to Schools provides practical advice on choosing a school, understanding school performance, asking questions and raising concerns.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-newsletters/ero-provides-a-… ↑
“The guide sets out the 14 key areas that matter most for education quality and features suggested questions for parents to ask, for example when they visit schools”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-newsletters/ero-provides-a-… ↑
“If you are worried about something at school or kura, it is usually best to start by talking with your child’s teacher or another school leader.”
Education Review Office · ero.govt.nz/for-parents/raising-concerns ↑