It is often said that Education begins in the home and, backed by education expert Professor John Hattie, a few Wellington Schools are doing away with homework, instead encouraging parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.

Karori Normal School Principal, Diane Legett, in a newsletter to parents explaining the initiative, suggested that parents encourage their child's imagination and creativity by turning off the tv/games consoles during the week and allowing them instead to ‘play’. She advocates parents speaking with their children, allowing themselves to be read to, encouraging reading for pleasure, and sharing with their children. She claims that this will do more good than any homework or extra-tuition programme could do.

Auckland University Professor John Hattie supports the move and is quoted as saying that he has found "zero evidence" that homework helps to improve time management or study skills. He believes that if a school does give out homework that it should take no longer than five minutes per night, any longer is – he claims, a waste of time for most students.

The students at Karori Normal School are being encouraged to read and, it would seem that what the student is reading is of lesser importance than the act of reading itself. Leggett is quoted as saying that it doesn't matter what a child reads as long as they get a balance of reading to their parents, reading with their parents, and reading for themselves. She suggests children be encouraged to read everything from books to magazines and comics, from newspapers to the back of the cereal packets. The crux of the matter seems to be making learning fun.