As the summer holidays draw to a close, hundreds of thousands of children around the country are expected to enter the school gates for the first time this year.
About 30,700 students from Years 1-13 will head back to Hawke's Bay schools this week.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said almost 775,000 student were heading to school nationwide and hoped "they are all looking forward to a new or first year of learning, friendships and developing new skills".
"For more than 10,000 5-year-olds and their parents it will be an even more exciting time as our youngest students go through the school gates for the first time. They'll meet their first school teacher, learn about school routines and make new friends," Mr Hipkins said.
Over the next four terms more than 50,000 new 5-year-olds will also start school. Almost all will have attended early childhood education.
"They will begin learning to read and write and learn about the arts, maths, health, science, social sciences and technology.
"Parents looking for practical advice about how to prepare for the big day can find back-to-school tips on the Ministry of Education's website," Mr Hipkins said.
Meanwhile, police are urging parents to check their children's road safety knowledge.