GuidesA closer look
What will my child learn? The national curriculum
What the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are, what the law requires of schools, how the new curriculum is being phased in, and the reading, writing and maths requirements for younger students.
Every statement on this page comes from an official source: Ministry of Education and Parliamentary Counsel Office (NZ Legislation).
What is the national curriculum?
The Ministry describes the coming changes as covering both the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.1 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa is the national curriculum for those learning through te reo Māori.2
Under the Education and Training Act 2020, the Minister may make national curriculum statements, which set out what students are to be taught and are expected to learn during their years of schooling.3 A school's board must make sure the principal and staff develop and implement teaching and learning programmes that give effect to the national curriculum statements.4
A national curriculum statement may set a transition period during which a board may choose to follow the existing statement or the new one, and a date by which the board must begin following the new statement.5 The Secretary for Education must plan reviews so that each learning area, subject and wāhanga ako in a national curriculum statement is reviewed at least once every five years.6
What is changing?
Here is how the Ministry describes the new curriculum. The Ministry describes the curriculum as evidence-based, knowledge-rich and grounded in the science of learning.7 English and Mathematics and Statistics (New Zealand Curriculum), and Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa), have been updated to give clearer year-by-year expectations.8
The Ministry's parent guide for Year 1 says that in their first full year of school children begin learning reading, writing and maths every day.9
Content already published
New content published online included Years 0–6 English and Years 0–8 maths in the New Zealand Curriculum, and Years 0–6 Te Reo Rangatira and Years 0–8 Pāngarau in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.10 Schools and kura were to start implementing that content from the start of 2025.11
The published timeline
The Ministry's published implementation dates for the new curriculum:
- 2026: Years 0 to 10 English, Mathematics and Statistics, Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau.12
- 2027: Years 0 to 8 Science, Social Sciences, Pūtaiao and Pūmanawa Tangata, and all learning areas and wāhanga ako for Years 9–10.13
- 2028: Year 11, all new curriculum.14
- 2029: all remaining Years 0 to 8 learning areas and wāhanga ako (Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Technology, Learning Languages, Waiora, Toi Ihiihi, Hangarau, Te Reo Pākehā and Ngā Reo), and Year 12, all new curriculum.15
- 2030: Year 13, all new curriculum.16
The same Ministry page also says separately what must be taught, and from when: For Years 0 to 8, Science, Social Sciences, Pūmanawa Tangata and Pūtaiao still need to be taught from 2027, and all other Years 0 to 8 curriculum content is not required to be taught until 2029. All Years 9–10 content, in both curricula, must still be taught from the start of 2027.17
In a separate announcement, the Ministry said the Minister of Education had extended the implementation timeframe for the Years 0 to 8 curriculum in response to feedback about the pace of change.18
Schools are expected to start using Years 0 to 10 Science, Social Sciences, Pūtaiao and Pūmanawa Tangata from 2027, and will have 2027 and 2028 to fully implement them.19 Learning Languages and Ngā Reo are not required, although they are encouraged, in Years 7 to 10.20
The Ministry said all Years 0 to 10 content would be available by 9 September 2026.21 The Ministry has announced the release of the remaining Tau 0–10 content of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.22
What about the senior years?
Here is what the Ministry has said about the senior secondary years. The Ministry's news item announcing the Years 0 to 10 curriculum release dates was published on 3 July 2026.23 In it, the Ministry said it would publish the final Years 11 to 13 curriculum later that year, to be implemented progressively from 2028 to 2030.24
Reading, writing and maths every day
Children in Years 0 to 8 at a state or state-integrated school spend an average of one hour each day on reading, one hour on writing and one hour on maths.25 Most schools began this at the start of 2024; specialist schools have extra time to adjust.26
Children can still go to events like sports days and camps; the required teaching time is balanced across the week.27 All children are included, and it covers other ways to communicate such as sign language, augmentative and alternative communication, and Braille.28
Structured literacy and early checks
The Ministry is supporting schools and kura to implement structured teaching approaches based on the science of how children learn.29 Support includes professional learning and development, teaching resources, and targeted staffing support for Years 0 to 6 in New Zealand Curriculum settings.30
This work includes Phonics Checks and Hihira Weteoro in Years 1 and 2, and the introduction of Maths and Pāngarau checks in Year 2.31
Sources
Every statement on this page comes from an official page, quoted in full here.
Each numbered statement above is followed here by the words of the official page it comes from. Every quote was checked against its page on .
“Exciting changes are coming to the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa!”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“As the national curriculum for those learning through te reo Māori, it reflects the aspirations of Māori communities”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/te-marautanga-o-aotearoa-tau-0-10-curric… ↑
“The Minister may make the following: (a) national curriculum statements , which are statements of— (i) what students are to be taught and are expected to learn during the years of schooling”
Parliamentary Counsel Office (NZ Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/38/en/latest ↑
“The board of a school must ensure that the school’s principal and staff develop and implement teaching and learning programmes that— (a) give effect to any national curriculum statements made under section 90”
Parliamentary Counsel Office (NZ Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/38/en/latest ↑
“specify a transitional period during which a board may elect to comply with an existing curriculum statement or the new curriculum statement, and specify a date on which a board must begin complying with the new curriculum statement”
Parliamentary Counsel Office (NZ Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/38/en/latest ↑
“The Secretary must ensure that a plan under subsection (1) provides for a review of each learning area, subject, and wāhanga ako in a national curriculum statement at least once every 5 years.”
Parliamentary Counsel Office (NZ Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/38/en/latest ↑
“Our curriculum is evidence-based knowledge-rich, and grounded in the science of learning.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“We have updated the following key learning areas to provide clearer year-by-year expectations: English and Mathematics and Statistics (New Zealand Curriculum) Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa).”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/our-work/strategies-policies-and-programmes/a… ↑
“Knowing what your child is learning in their first full year of school will help you support and guide them as they begin learning reading, writing and maths every day.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“New content includes Y ears 0-6 English and Years 0-8 maths learning areas in the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and Years 0-6 Te Reo Rangatira and Years 0-8 Pāngarau in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (TMoA).”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/national-curriculum-refresh-reaches-key-… ↑
“Schools and kura will be supported every step of the way as they start to implement this curriculum from the start of 2025.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/national-curriculum-refresh-reaches-key-… ↑
“The new implementation dates for are: 2026 – Year 0 to 10 English, Mathematics and Statistics, Te Reo Rangatira, and Pāngarau”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“2027 – Year 0 to 8 Science, Social Sciences, Pūtaiao, and Pūmanawa Tangata. Years 9-10 – all learning areas and wāhanga ako”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“2028 – Year 11 – all new curriculum”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“2029 – Year 0 to 8 all remaining learning areas and wāhanga ako (Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Technology, Learning Languages, Waiora, Toi Ihiihi, Hangarau, Te Reo Pākehā, and Ngā Reo), and Year 12 all new curriculum”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“2030 – Year 13 – all new curriculum.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“For Years 0 to 8, Science, Social Sciences, Pūmanawa Tangata, and Pūtaiao still need to be taught from 2027. All other Years 0 to 8 curriculum content is not required to be taught until 2029. All Years 9–10 content for both the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa must still be taught from the start of 2027.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/new-timeframe-years-0-8-final-national-c… ↑
“A feedback theme we saw early was around the pace of change. The Minister of Education responded to this by extending the timeframe for implementation of the Years 0 to 8 curriculum.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/years-0-10-curriculum-release-dates-anno… ↑
“Schools are expected to start using Years 0 to 10 Science, Social Sciences, Pūtaiao, and Pūmanawa Tangata from 2027. They will have 2027 and 2028 to fully implement them.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/science-and-social-sciences-released-yea… ↑
“Learning Languages and Ngā Reo are not required, although encouraged in Years 7 to 10.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/science-and-social-sciences-released-yea… ↑
“All Years 0 to 10 content will be available by 9 September 2026.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/science-and-social-sciences-released-yea… ↑
“The release of the remaining Tau 0–10 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa content today represents years of dedication”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/te-marautanga-o-aotearoa-tau-0-10-curric… ↑
“Was this page helpful? Yes No Date published: 3 July 2026”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/years-0-10-curriculum-release-dates-anno… ↑
“We will publish the final Years 11 to 13 curriculum later this year. It will be implemented progressively from 2028 to 2030, giving schools time to prepare and plan for change.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/news/years-0-10-curriculum-release-dates-anno… ↑
“Your child will spend an average of 1 hour each day on reading, 1 hour on writing, and 1 hour on maths if they’re in Years 0 to 8 at a state or state-integrated school.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“While most schools began implementing this at the start of 2024, specialist schools have extra time to adjust.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“Your child can still attend events like sports days and camps. The required teaching time will be balanced across the week.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“All children are included in the ‘one hour a day’. It incorporates other ways to communicate, such as sign language, augmentative and alternative communication, and Braille.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/pare… ↑
“We are supporting schools and kura to implement structured teaching approaches based on the science of how children learn.”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/our-work/strategies-policies-and-programmes/a… ↑
“Support includes: professional learning and development teaching resources targeted staffing support for Years 0 to 6 (New Zealand Curriculum settings).”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/our-work/strategies-policies-and-programmes/a… ↑
“the use of Phonics Checks and Hihira Weteoro for Years 1 and 2 the introduction of Maths and Pāngarau checks in Year 2”
Ministry of Education · education.govt.nz/our-work/strategies-policies-and-programmes/a… ↑