Education at Orange

Education can open at Orange, but you may have to follow public health measures such as wearing a face mask.

Key points

  • All playgroups, early learning centres, schools and kura, and tertiary institutions can open.
  • You are encouraged to wear a face mask indoors.
  • All ākonga (students) aged 12 years or over must wear face masks on public and school transport.

All education services can open

This includes:

  • certified playgroups
  • all licensed early learning services and kōhanga reo
  • schools and kura
  • tertiary institutions.

Tertiary education

Tertiary students can attend classes, lectures, labs, workshops, tutorials and meetings in person.

My Vaccine Pass is not required, but tertiary providers may have their own requirements. Check with your provider. If you do not meet their vaccine requirements, talk to them about alternative learning options.

Face masks

Face masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. At Orange, you are encouraged to wear a face mask in public indoor settings wherever it is practical. You do not need to wear a face mask outdoors.

All parents, caregivers, whānau, and other visitors are encouraged to wear face masks on-site at education services.

You do not need to wear a face mask when at special interest education, such as music lessons, art groups and girl guides. We encourage you to wear a face mask indoors wherever it is practical.

Find a full list of where you must wear a face mask:

When to wear a face mask

Schools and kura

Face masks are encouraged when inside at school.

All ākonga (students) aged 12 and over must wear face masks on school transport.

If a case of COVID-19 is identified at an education service

If there is a positive case of COVID-19 identified at an education service, staff will work with the Ministry of Education and public health authorities to seek advice.

Only people with COVID-19 and their Household Contacts need to self-isolate.

If your child has been near someone with COVID-19 who is not in their household:

  • they do not need to stay home from school or kura, and
  • they do not need to get a test, unless they get symptoms.

If your child or someone in their household gets COVID-19, you should tell their school or kura. Everyone in the household must self-isolate.

What happens if you test positive

Household Contacts

Check with your school or kura about how they will manage COVID-19 cases.

Advice for staff

Public health toolkits from Te Mahau, the Ministry of Education:

Early learning connected to confirmed cases | Ministry of Education (external link)

Schools connected to confirmed cases | Ministry of Education (external link)

Keep up healthy habits

Even though we are a highly vaccinated country, COVID-19 can still spread in our communities. Slow the spread of the virus by keeping up healthy habits.

Keep up healthy habits

More information

Early learning services and schools (external link)

Early learning services, schools and kura can find more detailed information from Te Mahau, part of the Ministry of Education.

Social service providers (external link)

Social service providers can find more information from the Ministry of Social Development.

Tertiary education providers (external link)

Tertiary education providers and students can find more information from Te Mahau, part of the Ministry of Education.

Last updated: at