Support Groups and Activities

Auckland Home Educators provides regional annual events that bring the wider home-educating community together.  It’s great for kids to know they are part of a bigger picture, a bigger community than their own family and group of friends.  Children are able to share their learning and achievements with the community – and these events are a fantastic way to introduce grandparents to the home-schooling scene! Your kids need not ‘miss out’ because they’re not attending school. Join AHE to keep abreast with the year’s rhythm of events (and receive discount entry).

AHE does not take the place of your local support group – whether that’s an informal gathering of families, a co-op or activity group. If you’re new to Auckland, or new to home-education – come along to an AHE event – and also get in touch with a Support Group in your area (or you may even want to start your own).

Many Support Groups exist throughout the Auckland region.  Scroll down to find out more!

To find out about all the activities and events on offer for Home Educators in the Auckland region go to the What’s On for Auckland Home Educators website (www.whatson.org.nz) or facebook page.

If you would like your group information added or updated, please contact communityliaison@ahe.org.nz.

NATIONAL

NCHENZ – National Council of Home Educators in New Zealand

Set up in 1998 for the purpose of advancing the cause of home education in NZ at a national level, NCHENZ is the only national homeschooling body in New Zealand. NCHENZ is a neutral organisation with no affiliation to any political or religious groups. NCHENZ is run by an elected Executive Committee who volunteer their time for the benefit of NZ home educators.  If you are not yet a member of NCHENZ please join, it’s free – just go to our website:
Website: www.nchenz.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/NCHENZ/

Home Education Foundation Facebook Group

An open Facebook group for anyone connected to Home Education (past, present or future).  The admin description at the top of this page has a long list of other useful facebook pages as well.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/174211400495

Home Education in New Zealand Facebook Group

A place on Facebook to discuss all things homeschooling in NEW ZEALAND. Share good resource finds, places to visit, things to do, groups to connect up with. Lets encourage each other on this Journey of Educating or precious kids at home!  A place to ask and answer questions regarding homeschooling in NZ.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/HomeEducationNZ

Unschooling NZ Network

We are an Unschooling/natural learning network of families in New Zealand, connecting with each other for support, meet-ups, information and companionship.  We currently have over 1500 members.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/299082344772694

ALL AREAS OF AUCKLAND

Auckland Home Educators Facebook Page

A Facebook page where you can get inspiration and find out about events happening in Auckland.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AklHomeEducators

Home Education in Auckland Facebook Group

An Auckland-wide group where you can post questions or see what others are doing.  Somewhere for you to connect to your community.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/HomeEducatinginAuckland

Auckland Unschoolers

A place for unschooling families who live in Auckland, New Zealand, to make new friends, plan get togethers, trips, camps etc
Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/aucklandunschoolers/info

ASD Homeschooling Auckland

Autism Homeschooling support for those in Auckland Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/618199731563214

Homeschool Outings – Auckland Area

Auckland and central North Island activities and events for homeschooling families.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomeschooloutingsNZ

Homeschool Teens Social Group Auckland

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1617276538571502

NORTH AUCKLAND

Homeschool Auckland Sport and Cultural Association (HASCA)

HASCA is an incorporated society which exists primarily to support, promote and unite home educating families through education and sports, cultural events, and activities.  HASCA was set up by a group of North Shore home educating parents in March-2002, but today has a dedicated committee of parent volunteers from all over Auckland. HASCA supports homeschool sports teams entering into local inter-school competitions, runs regular events and outings, and offers a vast range of activities Monday through Friday for home educated students of all ages. HASCA also operates a Scholastic book club, and a homeschool library which is housed at the ‘HASCA Hub’ or North Shore YMCA. The Family membership is $20 annually.
Contact: hasca.nz@gmail.com
Website: www.hascaNZ.org

Conscious Kids Homeschool Group – Onepoto Domain, Northcote

The foundation of our programs is free play in a natural setting with as little assistance as possible from equipment and technology. We offer a chance for children to play as they like, for as long as they like, within a framework of respect for those around them and the environment. Extension opportunities will be available but only if the children genuinely want to participate. We provide basic equipment suitable to exploring the outdoors: ropes, tarpaulins, bungees, compass, magnifying glasses, knives (to be used with supervision) and some art equipment.
Website: www.consciouskids.co.nz/one-day-programmes

Homeschool Social for North Shore

A public Facebook group to share info about homeschool social events, gatherings, meet-ups based on the North Shore. Anyone can post information and everyone is invited.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1022135994503948

Homeschool Swimming – Rosedale

AUT Millenium Centre, Monday afternoons
Website: hasca.wordpress.com/sports-teams/millenniumswimmingprogramme

North Rodney Home Educators Group

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1471024466504681/

Rodney Home Educators

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rodneyhomeeducators/

Shore Home Educators Network (SHENET)

SHENET communicate via a Google Group email loop. We have about 200 families on the list.  Most, but not all are based on the shore. You are welcome to be on our Google Group if you are currently involved with homeschooling, or are considering this option.

Email group: https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/shenethomeschool, email shenet.homeschool@gmail.com to join.

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shenet

Homeschool HQ Hibiscus Coast

Homeschool HQ runs gatherings in different parts of Auckland. Homeschool HQ Hibiscus Coast started at the start of 2020. The Hibiscus Coast group meets on Fridays in Dairy Flat, from 10.00am-3.00pm, usually for eight weeks of each term. Lots of families attend each week, with children of all different ages, including pre-schoolers through to teens. The group has classes, sports, and activities for home educated students. There is a large social area and a large deck, field and outdoor play space. The classes are advertised each term, and a registration form is provided. All home educating families are welcome. Feel free to contact us if you want to know more.
Facebook group (for those who attend the hub): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2372604966365730/

CENTRAL AUCKLAND

Auckland Unschoolers/Natural Learners Facebook Group

An online Facebook group for Unschoolers in Auckland to connect and discuss issues pertaining to Unschooling, organise meet-ups and connect with other families on a similar journey.  Meet-ups are posted by individual members and are often, but not always, in the central/west area.  Please connect with an admin either on Facebook or by email to request to be added to the group.
Contact: Nicole Otte nicole.otte@gmail.com or
             Dani-Miriam Grossman danimiriamg@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/WestAKLunschool

Homeschool Gymnastics – Mt Albert

Mt Albert Community and Leisure Centre, Wednesday afternoons (1:30-2:30pm). Suitable for ages 5+ years.
Contact the YMCA directly to book in.
Website: www.ymcaauckland.org.nz

Kelmarna Gardens Playgroup

A playgroup for parents, kids, extended whanau and friends to hang out in a beautiful permaculture oasis in the middle of Auckland city. Some of the things we do include: work in the garden, play, run around, draw, do yoga, eat, cook, paint, use clay, swing, read, help members of the public, dig in the dirt, climb trees, feed the animals, talk, and dream about things we might like to do!…Currently meeting regularly on Thursdays at Kemarna Gardens, 11ish till later in the day (quite regularly after 4!).
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/112550575852016

Quest Group

Quest (est. 1999) is a Christian central Auckland group (Eden/Roskill/Onehunga general area) primarily set up to support home-schooling mums.  We have weekly activities for our children on a Friday afternoon during school terms.  It’s a high-commitment group in order to encourage strong relationships between mums, and kids. New members welcome.
Contact: jessabel21@hotmail.com

Waiheke Island

Contact: drsrandsfarrant@gmail.com

Arabic Muslim Home Schooling

If anyone is interested in learning Arabic design, reading and writing, we are located in central Auckland.  We have weekly activities for our children on a Friday afternoon during the term.  We look forward to welcoming new members to our group, so come and join us.
Contact: artand.graphic@yahoo.com

EAST AUCKLAND

East Auckland Social Homeschool Group

For home educators in East Auckland to connect with and support each other and to post info on activities and events relevant to this area of Auckland.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/598547986965239

Homeschool Swimming – Pakuranga

Lloyd Elsmore Pools, Monday afternoons
The prices are very low and the numbers high so this group has a waiting list for most levels.  Please contact Sandy immediately if you are interested.
Contact: Sandy Miller sandymiller@xtra.co.nz

Kiwee Sport – Pakuranga

Pakuranga Leisure Centre – Reeves Road
For eight weeks starting on the second Tuesday of term
9:30-10:30am 5-8 year olds
10:30-11:30am 9+ year olds
Instructor Kieran Bevan.  Please email for more details
Contact: pakurangaleisure@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

WEST AUCKLAND

Homeschool HQ West Auckland

Homeschool HQ runs gatherings in different parts of Auckland, with the West Auckland branch starting at the end of 2022. We are now at the Massey YMCA in Westgate from 10.00am-3.00pm on Mondays, usually for eight weeks of each term. Plus we also run a few specialist classes in other locations such as swimming, woodturning etc. Lots of families attend each week with children of all different ages, including pre-schoolers through to teens. The group has various classes, sports, and activities for home educated students, at our Monday venue there is a social area with small cafe, babies/toddlers/pre-school area, and a large outdoor play-space. The classes are advertised each term, please get in touch to go on the email list, or see links for the previous terms classes and general info on the Facebook page to get an idea.

All home educating families are welcome, feel free to contact us if you would like to know more or arrange a visit to come and have a look around.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089084733685

Contact: hhq.westauckland@gmail.com

North West Akl Home Educators

A group for all home educating families in the general North West Auckland area. Activities, meet-ups, questions and chat, information and inspiration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3643750662553789

Waitakere Free Rangers

The Waitakere Free Rangers are West Auckland-based unschooling families committed to building a community where long-term friendships can flourish. We meet 2 full days a week for a nature-based session, and a day of activities and free-play at a community venue. We are committed to supporting an environment of deep child-led exploration and play,and forming meaningful relationships where we can support each other on our unschooling journey.

Contact: waitakere.freerangers@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/waitakere.freerangers/

West Auckland Christian Homeschool Group (WACHG)

Activities include Tuesday classes – usually Art & Sport, also field trips and other activities such as mothers’ nights and curriculum evenings.
Contact: twachg@gmail.com

SOUTH AUCKLAND

Franklin Home Educators

An inclusive group based around the greater Franklin area, supporting homeschoolers and home educators in the South Auckland and North Waikato Districts. Our aim is to provide information and support for home educators and homeschoolers of all creeds and philosophies through this page. This group is open to all Home educators in the former Franklin and surrounding areas.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/FranklinHomeschool/

Homeschool Sports Auckland South

Sports group for 7-17 year olds that meet on a Monday afternoon from 1-2.30pm at various venues for a wide variety of sports.
Contact: Jeanine Hamilton homeschoolsportsaucklandsouth@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/761042540750847
Website: www.hsas.co.nz

Manukau Home School Support Group (MHSSG)

This group has 80–90 member families from anywhere around the South Auckland area, including Franklin as well as the Papakura/Manukau area.
Contact person for MHSSG is the Membership secretary,
Annemieke Sonneveld:  annemieke.sonneveld@gmail.com

South Auckland Home Educators

Primarily an email networking group
Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ashe/info

Homeschool HQ South Auckland

Homeschool HQ runs gatherings in different parts of Auckland. Homeschool HQ South Auckland started in 2019. The South Auckland group meets on Wednesdays in Randwick Park, from 10.00am-3.00pm, usually for eight weeks of each term. Lots of families attend each week, with children of all different ages, including pre-schoolers through to teens. The hub has classes, sports, and activities for home educated students. There is also a social area, a playground, and a skate park, and we spend lunch time together. The classes are advertised each term, and a registration form is provided. All homeschooling families are welcome. Feel free to contact us if you want to know more.
Facebook group (for those who attend the hub): https://www.facebook.com/groups/492365858307903/

Waiuku Homeschool Group

Having regular catch ups (every 1st and 3rd Friday) is what this group is about. A regular opportunity for our children to be with their friends and a regular time for parents to connect with other adults too. So if you are keen on the regular then we are keen for you to join us. We just so happen to try to make it interesting by meeting in different places but it is the ‘regular’ that is what is most important to us.
Find out more on our Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1889215288000057

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Designer Kids

Designer Kids is an email support group for homeschooling families with children who learn a little differently. We don’t clutter up your inbox, just pass on relevant information for parents like us, such as specialist classes available, and we are here to help each other.
Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/designerkids

Have we missed a group? If you’re part of an Auckland-based home educators group and would like to be included here, please let us know. (The information listed here is correct at time of publication.) If we need to update any details, please let us know by emailing editor@ahe.org.nz.