Almost 60,000 students were expected to stay away from school on Thursday as a strike by secondary school teachers moves to Year 11 students.
Year 11 pupils are the only students facing NCEA assessments who to be affected by ongoing strike action, and principals have urged them to use the day to prepare for exams and work on internal assessments.
Thursday's action is the sole strike day of the eight planned this term which affects Year 11 students.
Many schools have offered to provide supervision, but recommend that students affected by the strikes stay home.
Canterbury schools are exempt from the Post Primary Teachers' Association industrial action.
