Address to the 2026 International Confederation of Principals Convention

New Zealand’s Education Minister welcomed delegates from over 50 countries to the 2026 International Confederation of Principals Convention, emphasizing the importance of sharing ideas and fostering global connections among educators. The Minister praised the work of teachers and principals, noting their role in shaping young lives and addressing systemic challenges in education.

The Minister outlined significant education reforms underway in New Zealand, including a shift to a knowledge-rich, year-by-year curriculum benchmarked internationally to ensure consistent access to essential skills. The reforms aim to reverse decades of declining achievement and close persistent equity gaps in student outcomes.

A key focus of the reforms is the adoption of structured literacy and structured mathematics across all primary schools, replacing previous debates over teaching methods. The approach includes phonemic awareness and systematic instruction to help young children learn to read and develop strong numeracy skills.

The Minister highlighted early intervention strategies, including twice-yearly assessments and tailored support for students falling behind in literacy and numeracy. Thousands of teachers have already been trained in these methods, supported by improved data and evidence to guide decision-making.