New Zealand Regions, 1986-2001: Education and Qualifications

This paper investigates changes in patterns of education and the highest qualifications people gained over the period 1986 to 2001 for the regions of New Zealand. Education is an essential element in the accumulation of human capital. Factors analysed in this paper are highest qualification gained, early education participation, school retention and qualification attained at leaving school. Over this period there have been major changes in the education people have sought with increases in the time people stay at schools as well as the numbers of people who go onto tertiary education therefore getting university level qualifications. The levels of qualifications gained by people differ substantially by region. Auckland and Wellington in particular have higher proportions of their population with higher qualifications than the regions which are rural and on the periphery.