The Board of NZCER consists of five elected members and one member appointed by the Minister of Education. The Board, as it sees fit, can co-opt up to three additional people to be members of the Council.

Board members are appointed for terms of 4 years. Every 2 years, two or three of the five elected Board members will complete their term. An electoral college, convened from across the education sector, nominates and elects NZCER Board members. Retiring members may stand for re-election.

The Board represents a wide cross section of education interests. It helps identify key educational issues and stakeholder needs and provides a strategic focus for NZCER.