Government ambitious for every child’s education
The New Zealand Government has launched reforms to improve education outcomes, including replacing NCEA and extending compulsory schooling to ensure students complete key learning years.
The government has prioritised lifting educational achievement and closing equity gaps by providing a high-quality education system. This includes ensuring every child learns to read, write and do maths well, supported by a knowledge-rich curriculum and regular assessments. The focus is on action rather than reports, with reforms aimed at addressing declining achievement trends that have impacted tens of thousands of children.
Early improvements in education outcomes have been observed, with parents, teachers and students reporting positive changes. The government acknowledges the progress but emphasises the need to continue building on these results to prevent regression. The reforms extend beyond primary education, targeting significant changes in senior secondary education.
NCEA is being replaced due to concerns raised by NZQA about students collecting disconnected credits to meet requirements. The new system aims to set a higher standard, ensuring students achieve more than a low bar. Work is underway to develop new qualifications and finalise the curriculum to deliver a better system for young people.
From 2028, Year 11 will include compulsory English, maths and science, with students sitting the Foundational Award in literacy and numeracy. Students turning 16 during Year 11 or 12 will be required to complete the year, reinforcing the importance of these core skills as essential life competencies.