PILLAR Raises Alarm Over Last-Minute Homeschooling Law Changes
MEDIA RELEASE | 25 MAY 2026 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PILLAR is raising serious concerns over last-minute amendments to the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill, warning the changes could impose significant new regulatory barriers on homeschooling in New Zealand and further expand state power into Kiwi homes.
The amendments, introduced without meaningful public consultation, would grant the Secretary of Education broad discretionary powers to regulate how homeschooling is conducted.
PILLAR Head of Education and Partnerships Nick Hanne says the changes lack clear limits, safeguards, and democratic oversight.
“These amendments would allow unelected officials to impose almost any future regulation they see fit on homeschooling families, all without proper parliamentary scrutiny or public consultation,” said Hanne.
“New Zealanders should be deeply concerned whenever vague ‘safety’ language is used to justify open-ended state power.”
PILLAR says the new powers are being introduced under the broad justification of child safety, but warns that safety concerns are increasingly being used as a catch-all rationale for expanding state control into areas traditionally governed by families and local communities.
“We’ve seen similar arguments used to justify online censorship proposals and restrictions on young people’s access to digital platforms,” Hanne said.
“Child safety is critically important, but it cannot become an excuse for unlimited bureaucratic authority.”
Homeschooling has long been a legitimate and valuable part of New Zealand’s education system, allowing parents to take primary responsibility for the upbringing and education of their children. PILLAR says educational diversity acts as an important safeguard against excessive centralisation of power within the state.
“The right of parents to direct the education of their children is a fundamental liberty in any free society,” said Hanne.
“A healthy democracy should make room for different educational approaches rather than concentrating more control in Wellington.”
PILLAR warns the proposed powers could undermine public trust and create unnecessary uncertainty for homeschooling families across the country.
“Major regulatory powers affecting family life should never be rushed through Parliament without transparent public consultation,” Hanne said.
“Families deserve clarity about how these powers could be used in practice and what protections exist against overreach.”
PILLAR is calling on the Minister to halt the progression of the bill before its third reading and engage in extensive consultation with the homeschooling sector before granting sweeping new powers to an unelected body.
“Parents must retain the freedom to educate their children according to their values and convictions,” Hanne said.
“The alternative is a system where the state increasingly dictates how all young New Zealanders are educated.”
ENDS
Media Contact | Nick Hanne | team@nzpillar.com