Research supports the premise that online learning can be effective for learners in a variety of ways. However, it does depend on how online learning is designed, taught and supported. We have compiled a collation of research and reports that focus on the policy and practice of online, flexible and distance learning in New Zealand schools.

Please contact us if there is more to include in this list kotuitui@kotuiako.school.nz

(arranged in Chronological order, beginning with the most recent).

The Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ). (2026). Enhancing Education Access in the New Zealand Schooling Sector Through Online Networked Learning. https://flanz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Enhancing-Education-Access-in-the-New-Zealand-Schooling-Sector-Through-Online-Networked-Learning.pdf

Barbour, M., & Wenmoth, D. (2025). Reimagining learning for Aotearoa New Zealand’s future education ecosystem: Four pillars and a potential roadmap. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 29(1), 12-49. https://doi.org/10.61468/jofdl.v29i1.695

Barbour, M. K., & Wenmoth, D. (2024). An exploration of the state of distance learning in New Zealand’s school sector. In Proceedings of the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand Conference (pp. 1-13), Auckland, New Zealand. https://flanz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/flanz-proceedings-v9-spa-min.pdf

Barbour, M. K., & Wenmoth, D. (2024). Tracing more than a century of distance learning in New Zealand schools: From correspondence to virtual networks. Journal of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.61468/jofdl.v27i2.677

Lindsay, L. & Whalley, R. (2024). Professional development for teachers in virtual environments: evolving online practice. In Proceedings of the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand Conference (pp. 1-13), Auckland, New Zealand. https://flanz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/flanz-proceedings-v9-spa-min.pdf

Barbour, M., & Wenmoth, D. Tuia Te Hononga Tāngata, Tuia Te Hononga Ao: Taking the Pulse of Distance Learning in Aotearoa New Zealand (2019 - 2023)https://flanz.org.nz/dl-pulse/reports/

Alexander, C. M. (2022). Online learning in Aotearoa New Zealand : effective pedagogies that work well to engage ākonga Māori in an online environment. (Thesis, Master of Education (MEd)). The University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. https://hdl.handle.net/10092/104195

Virtual Learning Network Community (2022). Towards Networked Learning | Stronger Together.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZvWcaxY_V8kjOyqiz5SKt_44X0tED4Ru

Tolosa, C., East, M., & Barbour, M. K. (2021). Online language learning in New Zealand’s primary schools: Exploring the impact of one initiative. In U. Lanvers, A. S. Thompson, & M. East (Eds.), Language Learning in Anglophone Countries: Challenges, Practices, Ways Forward (pp. 311-329). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://bit.ly/3w1qFPS

Lai, K. W., & Pratt, K. (2020). Affordances and Barriers of the VLN Classes User Experience and Perception. Report for the Ministry of Education. https://bit.ly/2T9zERY

Lindsay, L. & Whalley, R. (2020). Building Resilience in NZ schools through online learning in Teaching, Technology, and Teacher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stories from the Field. Ferdig, R.E., Baumgartner, E., Hartshorne, R., Kaplan-Rakowski, R. & Mouza, C. (Eds). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://www.learntechlib.org/p/216903/.

Whalley, R. , K. Barbour, M. (2020). Collaboration and Virtual Learning in New Zealand Rural Primary Schools: A Review of the Literature. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 21 (2) , 102-125 . https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.727983

Brown C., Davis N., Eulatth-Vidal W. (2019). Student engagement in flexible and distance learning in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Education Studies in Aotearoa: Key disciplines and emerging directions. Kamp A (Ed.). NZCER. https://hdl.handle.net/10092/100171

McRae, J. (2019) Virtually connected. Ako the Journal for Education Professional. Winter 2019. Wellington: New Zealand. http://bit.ly/34bPf3S

Cognition Eduction (2018) On-line distance education research final report to the Ministry of Education. http://bit.ly/3478prS

Whalley, R. (2018). Collaboration across New Zealand rural primary schools: A virtual learning perspective (Thesis, Master of Education (MEd)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. https://hdl.handle.net/10289/11975

Ali, A. (2017). The development of the learning exchange schools in New Zealand: An actor network theory and complexity theory analysis. Victoria University, Wellington: New Zealand. https://goo.gl/DXshr7

Kwok-Wing Lai (2017) Pedagogical practices of NetNZ teachers for supporting online distance learners,Distance Education, 38:3, 321-335, DOI: 10.1080/01587919.2017.1371830

Ministry of Education (2017) Grass Roots Project Report: Wairakei School - Connecting to Expert Teachers Virtually. Wellington: New Zealand. http://bit.ly/2UdJePR

Tolosa, C., East, M., Barbour, M., & Owens, H. (2017). CoOL or not CoOL? Learning an Asian language online in the context of communities of online learning. The New Zealand Language Teacher, 43, 51-62. http://bit.ly/34heQZs

Williamson-Leadley, S., &Pratt, K. (2017). New Zealand teacher educators’ knowledge of and attitudes towards online and blended learning (pp. 724–726). Presented at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://www.learntechlib.org/p/177875/

Alexander-Bennett, C. (2016). Keynote: FarNet Ten Years on—The Past, Present, and Future for Distance Learners. Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, 20(2), 24–31.

Barbour, M., Davis, N., & Wenmoth, D. (2016). Primary and Secondary Virtual Learning in New Zealand: Examining Barriers to Achieving Maturity. International Journal on E-Learning, 15(1), 27–45. http://bit.ly/345ZZRs

Whalley, R. (2016). Supporting Student Independence in Virtual Learning within New Zealand Primary Schools: Investigating the role of the School Based Support Staff (Dissertation, Master of Education (MEd)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. http://bit.ly/345LHjH

Whalley, R., & Khoo, E. G. L. (2016). Supporting primary student independence in virtual learning: Investigating the role of school-based support staff. In N. Wright (Ed.), DEANZ2016:There and back: Charting flexible pathways in open, mobile and distance education (pp. 247–253). Hamilton, New Zealand: DEANZ. http://bit.ly/346vSJF

Roberts, R. (2014). Look out they are coming! DEANZ Magazine. https://goo.gl/ht4gPr

Barbour, M. K., & Bennett, C. (2013). The FarNet journey: Effective teaching strategies for engaging Māori students on the Virtual Learning Network. Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, 17(1), 12–23.

Barbour, M. K., Davis, N., & Wenmoth, D. (2013). Networked Schools in New Zealand: Examples from the Virtual Learning Network. In Proceedings of SITE 2013--Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 4102–4107). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). http://www.learntechlib.org/p/48763/

Barbour, Michael K. and Wenmoth, D. (2013) Virtual Learning as an Impetus for Educational Change: Charting a Way Forward for Learning in New Zealand. CORE Education Research Report. Christchurch, New Zealand: CORE Education, 2013. https://goo.gl/aiBqZA

Buchanan, P. C. (2013). An Exploration of Models for Collaborative Leadership of Virtual Learning Network e-Learning Clusters in New Zealand (Thesis, University of Waikato). http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/8645

Louwrens, N. P. (2013). Exploration of online activities that engage New Zealand middle school students A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a degree of Master of Education in E-learning at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand (Thesis).

Owen, H. (2013). Interview with Eddie Reisch. Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, 17(1), 46–55.

Pratt, K. (2013). An exploration of learner and support characteristics of students involved in virtual schooling. In Proceedings of SITE 2013--Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 4147–4149). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).https://www.learntechlib.org/p/48772/

Pratt, K. (2013). Exploring the usefulness of frameworks for virtual schooling: A New Zealand example. In Proceedings of SITE 2013--Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 4150–4152). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://www.learntechlib.org/p/48773/

Pratt, K., & Pullar, K. (2013). OtagoNet: One region’s model for virtual schooling. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 17(1), 1–11. http://bit.ly/2UhdgCi

Bennett, C., & Barbour, M. K. (2012). The FarNet journey: Perceptions of Māori students engaged in secondary online learning. Journal of Open Flexible and Distance Learning, 16(1), 83–98.

Stevens, K. J. (2012). Organizational, Pedagogical and Conceptual Changes in the Provision of Education in Rural New Zealand and Atlantic Canadian Communities. Journal of Rural and Community Development, 6(2). http://journals.brandonu.ca/jrcd/article/view/505

Barbour, M. K. (2011). Primary and secondary e-learning: Examining the process of achieving maturity. Christchurch, New Zealand: Distance Education Association of New Zealand. https://goo.gl/z1QP1p

Davis, N. (2011). New forms of networked schooling are evolving – fast! Visionary leadership please. Computers in New Zealand Schools: Learning, teaching, technology. Vol 23. No 2. pp 177-181. http://bit.ly/2Ubq1OE

Duncan, W. A. (2011). Understanding the nature and function of empathy in synchronous multimedia conferencing. A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand (Thesis, Massey University).http://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/3068

Ministry of Education. (2011). Learning communities online: A support handbook for cluster schools. Wellington: New Zealand. https://bit.ly/3Ofx0CG

Powell, Allison (2011). A case study of e-learning initiatives in New Zealand's secondary schools Theses and Dissertations. 114.

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/114

Powell, A., & M. K. Barbour. (2011) Tracing international differences in online learning development: An examination of government policies in New Zealand's Secondary Schools. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 15.1: 75–89. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/XLjKqX

Pratt, K. & Trewern, A. (2011). Students experiences of flexible learning options: What can they tell us about what they need for success? Computers in New Zealand Schools: Learning, leading, technology. Vol. 23, No. 2 pp 137-152.

Also available at https://tlri.org.nz/research/school-is-out-students-experiences-of-non-traditional-learning/

Stevens, K. M. (2011). The distribution of instructional leadership in eLearning clusters: an ecological perspective. https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/5446

Roberts, R. (2010). Increasing access for learners – The Virtual Learning Network. In V. Ham & D. Wenmoth (Eds.), e-Learnings: Implementing a national strategy for ICT in education, 1998-2010 (pp. 144-152). Christchurch, New Zealand: CORE Education Ltd. https://goo.gl/zhS81s

Roberts, R. (2010) Teaching Under the Microscope - Trends in Online Learning, in Proceedings of ULearn10 - Research Stream. 6 - 8 October, 2010, Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand. N. Dabner, S. Bailey, J. Johnson, N. Davis Eds. https://goo.gl/qobj2C

Stevens, K. (2010). An Open Learning Matrix to Sustain Education in Rural New Zealand. In Looking Back from the Centre (pp. 161–172). Wellington: New Zealand: Victoria University Press.

Bolstad, R., & Lin, M. (2009).Students’ experiences of learning in virtual classrooms. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education. https://goo.gl/IvxldH

Roberts, R. (2009). Video conferencing in distance learning: A New Zealand schools’ perspective. Journal of Distance Learning, 13(1), 91–107.
http://www.jofdl.nz/index.php/JOFDL/article/view/40

Waiti, P. (2005). Evaluation of Kaupapa ara whakawhiti mātauranga (KAWM). https://goo.gl/xVBvAX

Walsh-Pasco, L. (2005) From teletubbies to teleteacher: Effective practices in video conference teaching. Ministry of Education 2004 eFellow report. https://goo.gl/6huVPG

Langley, M. (2003).Case study of the Cantatech and TOSItech distance learning projects. (University of Canterbury). https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/2869

Stevens, K. J., New Zealand, & Te Puni Kōkiri. (1998). Telelearning and contexts of awareness at Ngata Memorial College: Te pouaka whakaako ki te Kareti o Ngata. Wellington, N.Z.: Te Puni Kokiri.

Stevens, K. J., & Moffatt, C. (2003). From distance education to elearning: The organization of open classes at local, regional and national levels. In J. Bradley (Ed.), The open classroom: Distance learning in and out of schools. (pp. 171–180). London ; Sterling, VA: Kogan Page.

Stevens, K. (1996), The Technological Challenge to the Notion of Rurality in New Zealand Education - Repositioning the Small School. New Zealand Annual Review of Education, 5, 93 - 102. https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/nzaroe/article/view/1114

Wenmoth, D. (1996). Learning in the distributed classroom. SET Research Information for Teachers, 2(4). 1–4 https://goo.gl/pb4tw7

Stevens, K. (1994). Some applications of distance education technologies and pedagogies in rural schools in New Zealand. Distance Education, 15(2), 318–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158791940150210