Name Change to SEANZ
During 2018, the name of the Federation was changed to Steiner Education Aotearoa New Zealand (SEANZ) to better reflect a broader educational involvement than merely schools, as well as to bring the name into a contemporary and inclusive context. The SEANZ Directory lists the full complement of members and associates and provides contact details along with specific websites.
As the educational environment has developed in New Zealand, Steiner Education Aotearoa New Zealand has increased its interaction with other agencies, such as the Ministry of Education, the Association of Integrated Schools and the Education Review Office.
SEANZ is committed to enhancing the profile of Steiner Waldorf Education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Early childhood settings and schools who are members of SEANZ, whilst all working out of the educational indications of Rudolf Steiner, interpret these in their individual ways. This diversity is considered a strength of the movement and the independence of each member is respected. Members collaborate in a number of forums including professional development and meetings convened by SEANZ where issues of strategic significance are debated.
As we celebrate over 100 years of the establishment of the first Waldorf school in Europe, it is good to note that over 3,000 children attend Steiner Waldorf schools or early childhood centres in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The NZ Certificates of Steiner Education (previously Steiner School Certificates) are secondary school qualifications which are owned by SEANZ Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand Inc. and delivered, quality-managed and developed by the Steiner Education Development Trust (SEDT) under license. SEDT accredits and contracts providers (normally schools) to deliver the programmes and awards the Certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Further information can be found at the following link http://www.sedt.co.nz
Steiner Education Development Trust is the company that has been granted the licence agreement to manage and develop the SSC/NZCSE in New Zealand and internationally from September 2014.
Our History
Steiner Waldorf education is an international movement, founded in 1919, working out of the philosophy and indications given by Rudolf Steiner. Over 1,000 schools and kindergartens exist worldwide. In Aotearoa New Zealand there are 11 schools with attached kindergartens and nursery groups and 7 stand-alone early childhood centres, with several parent-led playgroups currently operating.
The first Steiner Waldorf school was established in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1950 in Hawkes Bay. During the mid-1980s, a group of Steiner Waldorf Schools and the Adult Education Centre established the Federation of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Schools in New Zealand to facilitate the exchange of information, to promote education, safeguard its integrity and be the body that would represent Steiner Waldorf Education legally when interfacing with organisations such as the Ministry of Education and the Crown.
The Federation represented the interests of Steiner Waldorf schools that are part of the state system along with independent schools. Since this inception, many more schools have been established and joined the Federation.
