Govt Unveils Full Draft of New Year 1–10 Curriculum to Transform NZ Education

New Zealand's education system is set for its most significant reform in two decades, with the release of the full draft of the new Year 1–10 curriculum, announced by Education Minister Erica Stanford. The new framework represents a major milestone in the Government's ambition to deliver a world-leading, consistent, and knowledge-rich education system for every learner.

"This is a major milestone," Minister Stanford said. "It's been almost 20 years since our curriculum was last fully updated, and much has changed in our country and the world. This new curriculum provides a clear, year-by-year pathway for every child, ensuring coherence and fairness across the education system."

The draft curriculum is now open for six months of national consultation, allowing principals, teachers, and education professionals to provide feedback before implementation planning begins.

A Curriculum Built by New Zealanders, for New Zealand Learners

Developed collaboratively by New Zealand educators and curriculum experts, the new curriculum has been internationally benchmarked against high-performing education systems, including those in Singapore, Finland, and Canada. It is designed to combine global excellence with local identity, making learning relevant and meaningful to Kiwi students.

"This curriculum has been written by Kiwis for Kiwi kids," said Stanford. "It's engaging, rigorous, and rooted in the science of how children learn, while celebrating who we are as a nation."

The Minister said the reform reflects the Government's focus on raising achievement and equity, ensuring that all learners — regardless of where they live — have access to the same foundational knowledge.

Key Highlights Across Learning Areas

The refreshed curriculum outlines detailed year-by-year learning expectations across subjects, offering clear progressions and better support for teachers. Some of the key highlights include:

Social Sciences

• A renewed History curriculum covering both New Zealand and global history, connecting local stories to global events.

• Students will explore the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi, migration, exploration, and significant civilisations that shaped societies.

• Introduction of Civics and Society and Economic Activity strands, embedding financial literacy and practical understanding of money and markets.

• Geography remains a central pillar, helping learners understand the relationships between people, places, and environments.

Science

• A restructured Science curriculum spanning Natural World and Physical World strands.

• Emphasis on inquiry-based learning — encouraging students to observe, investigate, and explain the world around them.

• Recognition of New Zealand scientists and innovators whose discoveries connect directly to the curriculum content.

Health and Physical Education

• Focus on wellbeing, movement, teamwork, and life skills through sport, choreography, and health education.

• Introduction of compulsory consent education, ensuring all students build safe, respectful relationships.

• Broader understanding of physical and mental wellbeing aligned with modern social challenges.

The Arts

• Structured pathways for creative expression, with emphasis on indigenous and contemporary art forms.

• New Music Technology strand, helping students compose, mix, and produce digital sound.

• Integration of Māori and Pacific arts, allowing learners to explore and create through cultural lenses.

Technology

• Enhanced focus on design thinking, coding, innovation, and sustainable production.

• Inclusion of digital and "unplugged" learning environments, ensuring technology education is accessible to all schools.

• Practical applications across areas like food technology, robotics, and design ethics.

Learning Languages

• Expanded framework for 13 languages across five key groups — Pacific, Asian, European, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language.

• Structured progression from beginner to advanced levels, allowing schools to tailor learning to community needs.

Consistency, Equity, and Excellence

Minister Stanford acknowledged that while many teachers already deliver high-quality learning, there are gaps in consistency across schools. "We know that what is taught varies from school to school, and not all young people have the same opportunities to learn the foundational knowledge they need," she said.

"This curriculum ensures that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the same essential learning. It's about fairness, coherence, and raising achievement."

The new framework, known as Te Mātaiaho, will underpin the rollout of refreshed learning areas from 2027 onwards. For kura, the equivalent framework — Te Marautanga o Aotearoa — is currently being finalised and will be released shortly for consultation.

Building a Curriculum for the Future

The reform reflects the Government's long-term education goals — improving literacy and numeracy outcomes, embedding cultural understanding, and preparing students for the future economy.

The curriculum is structured to help teachers plan, assess, and deliver learning with clarity, while maintaining flexibility for local contexts. It also provides guidance on critical thinking, civic engagement, and digital literacy, preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

"This change is about ambition," said Stanford. "It's about raising achievement and improving outcomes for every young New Zealander. Every student deserves the chance to succeed — and we're making sure they have it."

Next Steps: Nationwide Consultation and Implementation

Over the next six months, teachers, principals, iwi, and education organisations will provide feedback on the draft to ensure it reflects both educational best practice and community values. The Ministry of Education will then finalise the curriculum for phased introduction beginning in 2027, supported by new teaching resources and professional development programmes.

"This is not just a refresh — it's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape education for the next 20 years," Minister Stanford concluded.