A Herald analysis of 2026 fees at nine leading private schools revealed they are now charging an average $29,440 for a final-year student's tuition, nearly $2500 higher than two years ago.
Other compulsory payments can sometimes add thousands of dollars more.
That equates to an average 9% jump since 2024, outpacing general inflation, with the majority of schools surveyed charging more than $30,000.
Yet despite rising costs, schools said enrolment applications were still flooding in.
Queen Margaret College principal Jayne-Ann Young said her Wellington school was poised to begin 2026 with its largest student roll in history as numbers had now grown for 17 consecutive terms.
"Demand remains strong, applications are still coming in, even at this late stage of the year, from families eager to secure a place," she said.
However, principals acknowledge the financial pressure families are under.
Mike Waller, executive principal at Pinehurst School, said his team was "very mindful" of the impact on families and worked hard to minimise increases.
"The founding families of Pinehurst sought to create an outstanding education that represented true value, and this is something we continue to hold as a core principle," he said.
The Herald surveyed 20 leading schools, but 11 had not yet posted their fees for 2026.
Of the nine that had already confirmed their fees, Pinehurst in Albany, North Auckland, was the most affordable at $23,990.
However, its two-year price rise, at 10.7%, was the biggest proportionally among the schools.
Queen Margaret College ($29,400) and Kristin School ($30,291) also posted significant two-year jumps of 10.3% and 9.7% respectively.
Auckland's King's College had the highest tuition fee among schools at $32,572 in 2026, up more than $2100 from two years ago.
That was followed by Rangi Ruru Girls' School and St Andrew's College, both in Christchurch, at $31.500 and $30,600 respectively.
At the average $29,440 across schools surveyed, it calculates to about $155 per day based on the minimum 192 school days a year.
Along with tuition fees, parents could also find themselves forking out on other compulsory costs.
Private schools increasingly passed on the cost of maintaining their buildings through levies, while acceptance fees were becoming more common too.
Extra costs with Kristin School's $30,291 fee for next year bump the price up a further $5000-plus.
For families living further afield, the cost is even starker. Boarding fees can add $20,000 to the annual bill, pushing the total cost for a boarder to about $50,000 a year.
Schools say they face the same pressures as other businesses, but are also locked in a competitive market to recruit and keep the best teacher talent.
St Cuthbert's College director of advancement Suzanne Joyce said outstanding educators were the "foundation of educational excellence".
"Our most significant investments are in our exceptional teaching staff and our campus facilities," she said.
Yet the Auckland school's trust board maintained a "careful balance" between investing in staff and facilities and recognising the financial commitment of families, Joyce said.
Queen Margaret principal Jayne-Ann Young said it also set fees at a level enabling it to "attract and retain exceptional educators who bring unique expertise and passion".
"Our ability to maintain optimal teacher turnover rates is a point of pride, as it provides stability and continuity for students," she said.
Pinehurst's Waller said his school aimed to offer salaries above the state sector to attract staff, noting "professional learning and career opportunities" were significant factors in retaining educators.
However, there were many other cost pressures.
"While staff salaries make up the largest proportion of our spending, other costs, such as classroom resources, maintenance materials, insurance, and services, including electricity, continue to increase," he said.
Christchurch's St Margaret's College trust board chair Di Humphries said the school was "ever mindful of the sacrifices families make", but noted interest in enrolment remained high from Year 1 to 13.
The Herald checked in with 20 leading independent private schools but found only nine had completed and published their fees for 2026.
For ease of comparison, we focused on the tuition fees for Year 13 students.
Other costs: Campus and building levy $850; boarding $19,153; application fee $350; acceptance fee $1700; lifetime membership of Old Collegians' Association $800; Friends Association levy $50.
Other costs: Application fee $150; acceptance fee $500; bond $1000 (credited to first account); disbursements for stationery, outdoor education, photographs, exams.
Other costs: Campus fee $1500; alumni membership $250; application fee $310; acceptance fee $1190; Homestay accommodation $3000.
Other costs: Application fee $300; entrance fee $900; Kristin Education Bond $3000; development contribution $1150; one-off fee for membership of alumni association $500.
Other costs: Enrolment fee $180; acceptance fee $500; boarding (seven-day) $22,570; QMC Foundation Trust levy $200; QMC Parents' Association levy $60; Old Girls' Association levy $50.
Other costs: Application fee $300; acceptance fee $500; association fee $775; contribution levy $1500; software licence fee $250.
Other costs: Enrolment fee $1500; deposit $2000; boarding $19,861; lunches (for day pupils) $2803; Parents' Association fee $115; Collegians' Association fee $115.
Other costs: Application fee $255; entrance fee $695; alumni fee $150; bond $2500; capital contribution levy $750; consumables & activity fee $350.