Some low-decile schools are turning families away for the first time, following a push to introduce more school zones.
Nearly half the country's schools now have enrolment schemes which guarantee a place for children in their immediate neighbourhoods and let others in only if there is room.
The Education Ministry is using the schemes to avoid over-crowding and reduce the need to build more classrooms in fast-growing areas.
Here's education correspondent John Gerritsen.
