# Pakaraka School Converts to First Charter School

> Northland state school joins charter school movement after community push.
- Title: Pakaraka School Converts to First Charter School · RNZ
- Summary: Northland state school joins charter school movement after community push. Pakaraka School in Northland became the first state school to convert to a charter…
- Keywords: pakaraka school, society of holistic learners, charter school, northland, act party, labour party, school uniforms, cost of living crisis, politics, news, Pakaraka, School
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/education/1859908/state-school-becomes-first-to-convert-to-charter-school
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-12T00:15:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pakaraka school, society of holistic learners, charter school, northland, act party, labour party, school uniforms, cost of living crisis, politics, news
## First state school converts to charter
Pakaraka School in Northland became the first state school to convert to a charter school run by the Society of Holistic Learners.
## Community drives conversion
95 percent of respondents supported the change in a survey conducted by the trust, with none favoring remaining a state school.
## Charter school benefits
Charter schools offer more freedom to tailor education to students' needs and are cheaper to run per student than state schools.
## Policy expansion
2000 students enrolled in charter schools in 18 months, with 21 expected by next year, and Labour copying ACT's uniform policy.
## Key takeaway

Pakaraka School in Northland became the first state school to convert to a charter school run by the Society of Holistic Learners, with 95% community support.