Schools do not need to request direct access to the NSI on this page.  

The ENROL system connects to the NSI, allowing schools to create and maintain student identities through ENROL. Any new NSN created or changes made to an existing student’s NSN in the ENROL system will automatically update the NSI.

ECE services can maintain NSN information through ELI web or an integrated student management system.

The NSI web interface is available to approved Tertiary Education Organisations. Tertiary Organisations wanting to access the NSI using an SMS must complete the NSI Go Live process. Information can be found in the NSI Go Live section.  

To gain access to NSI web application, you will need:

• Be an approved Tertiary Education Organisation with an active Organisation Number,
• An Education Sector Logon (ESL), and
• NSI access approved by the Ministry. 

Not everyone needs access to the NSI. Decide who in your organisation needs an Education Sector Logon to access NSI web. This will be people such as enrolment administrators and other staff members involved in working directly with NSNs. Your organisation will also need to figure out who will be the Delegated Authoriser to manage your organisation’s ESL accounts. 

A delegated authoriser will manage your organisation’s ESL accounts and can approve NSI access to your staff through the ESL Delegated Authoriser portal. Training is required after completing the ESL 100 form.  

If you are not going to be the Delegated Authoriser, you can skip this step and go to step 3. 

   The ESL Delegated Authoriser will use ESL to:   

• View and maintain the Education Sector Logons for your organisation and 
• Manage access to Education Sector applications such as NSI. 

Link to form: ESL Delegated Authoriser Application Form - ESL100 

The delegated authoriser can send invitations to staff members to create an ESL login. The delegated authoriser is responsible for maintaining user details and access. You can find your organisation’s delegated authoriser with your ESL account in ESL Self Service or contact Education Service Desk. 

If you do not have an ESL on-line Delegated Authoriser, please complete and return to Education Service Desk ESL 120 Form. 

Link to form: ESL Form 120 - Tertiary User Access 

Once access has been approved, please ensure you have read and understand the user guide before using the NSI.  

If you are still unsure, you can request a meeting with our team to provide you with an overview and answer questions that you may have to ensure your organisation can confidently and effectively manage your student identity. 

An ESL Online Delegated Authoriser manages your organisation’s ESL accounts and can approve NSI access through the ESL Delegated Authoriser portal.  

As the NSI contains personal identifiable information, delegated authorisers should only give access to staff authorised to work with National Student Numbers such as enrolment administrators. Delegated authorisers must review access regularly and revoke access to the NSI when staff leave the organisation. 

There are two roles available for NSI allowing access to the NSI web interface. Not all staff require write access, depending on your staff roles, Search and View access could be sufficient and will ensure NSNs cannot be altered unintentionally.  

To enable access for your staff, you must assign appropriate rolls when giving access to your staff:    

Tertiary Organisations wanting to access the NSI using an SMS must complete the NSI Go Live process and complete testing. Your SMS vendor will need to meet all NSI specifications and meet all technical requirements. 

It is important that you inform the Education Service Desk as soon as possible. Our integration process runs on a regular cycle, and once we confirm a slot for you, the full process could take up to three months. Timing may vary depending on Ministry resource availability.  

A REST interface is available to enable your SMS to integrate with the NSI data and functionality using a standardised protocol. This allows you to maintain your student records within your SMS while seamlessly sending and retrieving information from the NSI in the background. 

Please note that the Batch interface is no longer available for new providers and is being phased out. 

All ECE SMS Integration Information can be found on our website: Integrating early learning student management systems - Ministry of Education

The Guide to integrating with NSI (GINs) is a technical document explaining the necessary requirements to enable a student management system (SMS) to integrate with the National Student Index (NSI) system.  

The Guide to integrating with the National Student Index (GINs) will be issued to vendors preparing to integrate an SMS with NSI, please contact the Education Sector Service Desk to obtain a copy. 

A copy of this document can be requested from the Ministry of Education Service Desk (service.desk@education.govt.nz). 

You will need to take the following steps to start the NSI Go Live process: 

1. Contact Education Service Desk 

   Your organisation must notify that you are intending on implementing SMS integration as early as possible.  

2. Follow the integration specifications and make system and/or business process changes 

   Specifications are outlined in the Guide to integrating with NSI (GINs) document. If you are unsure of any functionalities that you have implemented, it is best to let us know as early as possible to avoid having to rework or rectify issues in later stages. Our team is also available to support and provide guidance over any required changes to functional and business processes in compliance with the GINs. 

3. Perform Testing 

   You will need to carry out testing and complete a testing script. Education Service Desk will assist you through this process. The Ministry of Education will only approve your access once we are confident that all tests are carried out thoroughly and comply with all relevant specifications and guidelines.  

Legal Requirements 

4. You must meet all legal requirements outlined in the Education and Training Act 2020. Requirements relating to national student numbers are outlined in section 649 of the Act. Additional authorised uses of NSNs, conditions of use, and specified users are detailed in the Education (National Student Numbers) Notice (No. 2) 2024, published in the New Zealand Gazette. 

    

5. Live Demo 

   A live demo of your SMS will be required. We may require you to make changes and resolve any issues from this demo before approval can be granted.  

6. Ministry Approval 

   Once we are confident you have complied with all technical and functional requirements, your SMS will be approved to integrate with the NSI. A machine account is required for your SMS. You will need a designated person with an ESL account to host the machine account. The use of individual user accounts within the SMS is prohibited.

7. Go Live 

   Once you have been approved to integrate with the NSI, and a date has been agreed to, you can start using the NSI.  

You must inform the Education Service Desk if you are planning on making substantial changes to your SMS after the Go Live as re-testing may be required to ensure your SMS remains compliant. Failure to do so may result in the Ministry revoking your organisation SMS access until all issues has been remediated.  

Note that conducting tests in NSI Production environment is strictly prohibited.