Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has launched a "national education conversation" - the first step in finding out what children, young people and their parents wants the system to look like over the next 30 years.

The "conversation" is part of the government's major review of the education system.

Ardern launched an online survey at Selwyn College in Auckland on Friday, urging people to share their views.

"The coalition government has committed to reviewing how education works and ensuring the entire system is fit for the 21st century," she said.

"If we're going to do this work well, we need to hear from young people who are in the middle of their education now and from those who care most about their future - their parents and their whanau."

There will be two national education summits in May, bringing together academics, teachers, young people and their families..

- NZ Newswire