Roll returns

Roll returns are performed twice a year in New Zealand, the first official period starting in early March and the second in early July.

Note: Only State and State integrated schools with year 9 students and above also perform roll returns in June and September.

The purpose of roll returns is to accurately collect data about students and their schooling, for use by the New Zealand Ministry of Education (NZ MOE) for the analysis and management of schools.
For an overview of the overall process undertaken by schools, see Roll returns process.
For details of the codes used, see Codes used for roll returns.
Most of the errors and warnings are as a result of the data for individual students being incorrect. The errors and warnings are output to a report for correction. For information on resolving all of the possible errors and warnings, see Roll return errors and warnings.

National student numbers (NSNs) and matching student identity data are used by the NZ MOE. You can retrieve NSNs for individual students from mid-April onwards, and check their NSNs and identity data against the ENROL database. See Managing New Zealand student NSNs and identity details (Roll returns).

Once the errors are resolved, the roll return aggregate reports can be printed. These are used to summarise the data collected about the students and their schooling. See Roll return aggregate reports.
The MOE file is sent electronically to the NZ MOE web service, once the reports have been mailed. See Electronic roll returns (eReturns).
After the roll return period, NZ MOE Resource Auditors may want to check the roll return. See Roll return audit requirements.
For the latest NZ MOE requirements, refer to What's new to roll returns.