Leaders in online learning

for Primary and Secondary (Yr 0-13) schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand

Hikina a tātou ākonga kia haere kōtui tātou ki tua

Walk hand-in-hand with us to uplift our learners and safeguard the future

Who we are

Kōtui Ako VLN is a collaborative network of Primary and Secondary schools and kura serving Years 0 – 13, who work together to improve access to educational opportunities for their learners, via the online environment.

Participating schools are able to offer their learners a wide range of programmes, based on the New Zealand Curriculum and NCEA qualifications.

By contributing to the Kōtui Ako VLN online learning community, schools gain access to over 100 programmes, enabling them to more successfully meet the learning needs of their students.

More about us
Josh - Makuri School

What we do

Our team enables collaboration between schools, their learners and their online teachers, through a reciprocal teaching and learning exchange.

Learners are engaged both synchronously and asynchronously through the use of weekly video conferences and digitally curated learning environments.

Online pedagogy and practice of teachers is enhanced through an ongoing professional learning development programme led by our experienced and skillful team.

What are the benefits:

Ākonga/learners

  • Access to a wide range of learning opportunities;
  • Improve communication and self-management skills in authentic contexts;
  • Improve digital literacy, learner agency and confidence;
  • Build on interests and passions;
  • Build connections with others beyond the classroom

Kura/schools

  • Access to a wide range of curriculum opportunities;
  • Access to qualified, registered, specialist teachers;
  • Enable flexible timetabling solutions;
  • Develop independent, self-managing, digitally competent learners

Kaiako/teachers

  • Professional development for online pedagogy and practice;
  • Improve digital competence in teaching online;
  • Teach within areas of skill, strength and passion;
  • Teach from within a school context, or flexibly from anywhere

Student Voice

“This opportunity has been amazing, I’ve really enjoyed being able to have more control in my learning but have good support. My teacher is awesome and I love his style and how interested he is in what we have to say and who we are”

Secondary student

I have really loved having the chance to take a subject my school doesn’t offer.

Learning online was not a barrier for me. I developed some important skills in managing myself to meet deadlines. I am proud that I passed all my assessments and exams in my online subject

The feedback from my student in the programme has been really positive. She enjoys the challenge and a chance to do more outside of what she would normally do in class.

Class teacher Primary

Having the opportunity to learn about Spanish when you don’t have a teacher in your own school

Learner from Ngamatapouri School

I just like it, it feels comfortable for me like I’m in my own skin and normal and learning my own culture

Te Reo Māori Primary learner

Our Nationwide Online Community

Our strategic purpose is to enable schools and kura to access high quality educational opportunities for their ākonga/learners through online learning.

Our schools

TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOOLS

94

TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS

1603

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News

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  • Kōtui Ako | Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa Pānui – July 2026

    Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kōtui Ako | Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa

    Kia ora koutou katoa, Kia orāna, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Nĭ hăo 你好, Annyoung haseyo 안녕하세요, Namaste, Assalām alaikum, Hola, Bonjour, Hallo!

    As the Matariki cluster rises into our winter skies, it heralds a welcome period of whakaaro—a time to pause, remember those who preceded us, celebrate our current achievements, and look forward to the promise of the future. We reflect on our significant progress as a community of learners over the 15 years since we helped launch the Rural Broadband Initiative across our schools’ network.

    In this season of reflection and anticipation, we encourage school leaders to consider how Kōtui Ako VLN can broaden opportunities, strengthen equity, and support their school’s vision for learner success. In preparation for 2027, we invite secondary schools to contact us now to learn more.

    Student support is vital for success, and the role of the e-dean is essential to this. We unpack what this role involves within a school, demonstrating that high-quality virtual education is founded on both excellent teaching and exceptional pastoral care.

    In support of the Arts Curriculum, we are offering placements in our songwriting class at no cost to our schools; we particularly encourage schools new to VLN learning to take up this opportunity. This is a fully learner-centred experience for Years 6 to 10, providing a just-in-time approach to writing lyrics, creating melodies, and recording musical accompaniment.

    NZSL is available again next term. We welcome Monica Leach, who will be joining our team—find out more about our NZSL programme. You are welcome to join, as there are still a few spaces available for next term (Years 5–13).

    Our Hail platform now has an app! Stay connected and receive updates from us directly on your phone or tablet.

    Finally, we wish all our ākonga (learners) and kaiako (teachers) from kura (schools) across Aotearoa New Zealand a safe and happy holiday break.

    Mānawatia a Matariki ✨️

    Rachel, Amanda and the Kōtui Ako VLN team

    Read the full publication

    Kōtui Ako | Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa Pānui – July 2026