Next steps after graduation
Congratulations on graduating from your initial education programme (ITE). Here's what you need to know to get into the classroom and become a registered teacher.
On this page
What you need to know
To all the New Zealand graduates who have successfully completed your exams and practicum — congratulations! This is an incredibly exciting time as you look forward to beginning your teaching careers.
Please hold off on submitting your online applications just a little longer. The Teaching Council need to wait for confirmed graduate lists from your Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers to verify your eligibility.
Below are the dates when some ITE providers will release their confirmed graduate lists. Please apply for registration and certification only after these dates to ensure a smooth and accurate process for everyone.
| Provider | Date |
|---|---|
Auckland University of Technology | 23 November 2026 |
Bethlehem Tertiary Institute | Bachelor ECE - 9 December 2026 Bachelor Primary - 9 December 2026 Graduate Diploma Secondary - 10 December 2026 |
Eastern Institute of Technology | 8 December 2026 |
Laidlaw College | 7 December 2026 |
Manakau Institute of Technology | 3-4 December 2026 |
Massey University | 14 December 2026 |
New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) | 18 December 2026 |
Open Polytechnic | Bachelor ECE - 7 December 2026 Bachelor Primary - 2 November 2026 Graduate Diploma ECE - 30 November 2026 Graduate Diploma Primary and Secondary - 18 January 2027 Graduate Diploma Secondary Technology - 18 January 2027 |
Te Rito Maioha | ECE programmes - 18 December 2026 Primary programmes - 20 January 2027 |
The Teachers' Institute | 4 December 2026 |
Toi-Ohomai | 9 December 2026 |
UNITEC Institute of Technology | 11 December 2026 |
University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau | Bachelor Primary - 7 December 2026 Graduate Diploma ECE and Secondary - 7 December 2026 Graduate Diploma Primary - 15 December 2026 |
University of Canterbury | 30 November 2026 |
University of Otago | Bachelor - 20 November 2026 Graduate Diploma - 20 November 2026 Master - 11 December 2026 |
University of Waikato | 18 December 2026 |
Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka | 17 December 2026 |
All other ITE providers are still confirming dates.
What comes after graduation?
Register to teach
After you graduate from your ITE programme, you can register to teach through the Teaching Council.
Apply for your first teaching certificate
A Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is the first practising certificate you will hold. During this time, you will take part in induction and mentoring to help you build your skills in the classroom.
Apply for your full certificate
Once you’ve completed your induction and mentoring programme and your mentor agrees you’re ready - you can apply for a Tūturu | Full (Category One) Practising Certificate. A Full Practising Certificate shows you’re an experienced teacher who meets the professional standards.
Grow your practice
Continue to grow in your teaching abilities and make an impact every day.
Tip to get started
Get your Educator Sector Logon (ESL)
An ESL account is a username and password used in institutions for access to education sector applications such as ENROL, Te Waharoa Ararau and e-asTTle. You will need to create an ESL using the Ministry of Education's self-registration process.
If you already hold a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) and are now ready to apply for teacher registration, please contact us instead of setting up a new ESL, so we can update your Hapori Matatū access type.
Introducing the Code of Professional Responsibility
As a teacher, you must uphold Ngā Tikanga Matatika mō te Haepapa Ngāiotanga | Code of Professional Responsibility.
Introducing the Code of Professional Responsibility
This video will introduce and give examples of upholding Ngā Tikanga Matatika mō te Haepapa Ngāiotanga | Code of Professional Responsibility.
FAQs
As the professional body for teachers, the Teaching Council’s purpose is to uplift and empower teachers, maximising both individual potential and collective impact. One element of this is making sure teachers uphold high professional standards so that every child and young person has access to qualified, skilled and caring educators. This is done through registration and certification, a process that keeps teachers accountable to the code and standards.
Once you’ve completed your ITE programme, you can apply to the Teaching Council for registration and a practising certificate. These are essential steps - every teacher in Aotearoa must be registered and hold a current practising certificate to teach.
- Registration confirms you meet the professional and ethical standards to be a teacher. It doesn’t expire unless you choose to de-register or your registration is cancelled. You will not be able to teach with registration alone.
- A practising certificate is what allows you to teach legally in New Zealand. It needs to be kept current. A Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is the first certificate you will hold as a beginning teacher.
New Zealand graduate or new overseas-trained teacher
You will need create an Education Sector Logon (ESL) using the Ministry of Education's self-registration process.
Get started with My Rawa
My Rawa is your go-to space for getting started as a teacher in Aotearoa. With tailored guidance and practical tools, it helps you take confident steps in your teaching career.
