Only a tiny percentage of students are back at school under Level Three

The Ministry of Education estimates 12 and a half thousand of them are in classrooms - which is 2.6 percent of the total roll.

Wellington has the fewest at 1.6 percent and Nelson the most at 3.8 percent.

A spokeswoman says students should be learning from home at Level Three.

She says schools and early learning centres are open for children whose parents need to go to work.

The ministry will begin releasing official attendance numbers next week