About the university
Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand trains early childhood and primary teachers. It began in 1963 as the New Zealand Association of Childcare Centres, launched its three-year Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) in 2011 and the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) in 2021. Study is a mix of online learning and field-based practice: students work or volunteer two days a week in an early childhood centre or school and get in-person support at Regional Education Centres around New Zealand.
International students can take its teaching degrees and graduate diplomas but must live in New Zealand while they study, and they must find their own centre or school placement before enrolment is confirmed. Teacher education applicants must meet the Teaching Council's English language rules. The Bachelor of Education is online only and cannot be used for a student visa.
- Founded
- 1963, as the NZ Association of Childcare Centres; renamed Te Rito Maioha in 2015
- Type
- Private tertiary provider (incorporated society) for early childhood and primary teacher education
- Study mode
- Online and field-based learning, with block courses and 11 Regional Education Centres
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (January/February) and Semester 2 (July)
- Course levels
- NZ Diploma to Master of Education
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
- Fee / year
- NZ$30,500
- Duration
- 1 year full-time (150 credits)
- Intakes
- January; July
- English
- Teaching Council English language competency requirements (no score stated on the programme page)
- Postgraduate
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
- Fee / year
- NZ$32,500
- Duration
- 1 year full-time (150 credits)
- Intakes
- January; July
- English
- Teaching Council English language competency requirements (no score stated on the programme page)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$25,200
- Duration
- 3 years full-time (360 credits)
- Intakes
- February; July
- English
- Teaching Council English language competency requirements (no score stated on the programme page)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (NZD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) | 1 year full-time (150 credits) | NZ$30,500 | ≈ ₹16.5 lakh |
| Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) | 1 year full-time (150 credits) | NZ$32,500 | ≈ ₹17.6 lakh |
| Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) | 3 years full-time (360 credits) | NZ$25,200 | ≈ ₹13.6 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand with similar universities in New Zealand.
Scholarships
- All programmes
International Study Grant
Value: A contribution towards tuition (amount not stated)
Eligibility: Merit-based, for outstanding international applicants
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Teaching: aged 18 or over (international), University Entrance or an overseas equivalent such as Class 12 (NZQA may need to assess it), or relevant skills and experience.
- Two confidential referee reports, a Children's Worker Safety Check and police vetting.
- You must arrange work or volunteering two days a week in a licensed ECE centre (ECE) or a primary school (Primary) before enrolment is confirmed.
- Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) also needs a score of at least 690 on the LNAAT numeracy assessment for 2027.
Postgraduate
- Graduate Diploma: a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits, assessed by NZQA as Level 7 or above for overseas degrees.
- Primary graduate diploma: an LNAAT mathematics score of at least 690.
- International applications close earlier than domestic ones (e.g. 23 November 2026 for the ECE graduate diploma, Semester 1 2027).
Documents
- Two verified forms of identification, including a passport
- Verified copies of Class 12 or degree certificates and transcripts (with English translations if needed)
- Police clearance certificates from every country lived in during the past three years
- Two confidential referee reports
- Evidence of English competency
- Proof of international student insurance (needed before an offer of place)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Teacher education programmes | Must meet the Teaching Council's language competency requirements; you may need an approved English test |
| Bachelor of Education (online only) | IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or PTE Academic 50 with no band below 42 |
| Class 12 English waiver | Not offered on the pages reviewed |
Accommodation and living costs
Te Rito Maioha does not offer accommodation. International students must arrange housing (homestay, boarding or renting) before leaving home. The study-in-New-Zealand page advises budgeting at least NZ$300 a week for living costs on top of rent.
| Item | In NZD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs, excluding rentMinimum budget suggested by Te Rito Maioha | NZ$300per week | ≈ ₹16,200 |
Campus and location
There is no single campus. Students learn online and in their placement centre or school, with in-person support from 11 Regional Education Centres around New Zealand.
- Block courses for the ECE graduate diploma run in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
- Bachelor's students attend a two-day noho marae each year.
- Practicum placements total 12–13 weeks across each programme.
- International students must be in New Zealand for the teaching programmes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
The Bachelor of Teaching and Graduate Diploma of Teaching programmes prepare graduates to become teachers in early childhood services or primary schools in New Zealand. Te Rito Maioha publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages reviewed. See our New Zealand guide for post-study work rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in New Zealand
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in New Zealand. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much are the international fees?
For 2026, NZ$25,200 per 120 credits for the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), NZ$30,500 for the one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and NZ$32,500 for the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary), including GST.
Do I need a job or placement before I start?
Yes. You must arrange work or volunteering two days a week in an early childhood centre or a school before enrolment is confirmed.
Can I study online from India?
Only the Bachelor of Education, which does not lead to a student visa or teacher registration. The teaching programmes must be studied in New Zealand.
Sources
- Te Rito Maioha: home page (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: international fees (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: study in Aotearoa New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: our history (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) (opens in a new tab)
- Te Rito Maioha: Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ecnz.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
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