This year, New Zealand’s school system has been turned upside down. The government’s sweeping reforms have aimed to make sure every school is “teaching the basics brilliantly,” but the pace and scale of change have left teachers and principals exhausted.

Curriculum Overhaul
Primary schools rolled out new English and maths curriculums for Years 0-6, including a national focus on structured literacy and a harder maths program. While some teachers welcomed the changes, many found them rushed, with training and teacher-only days falling short. The English and maths updates will expand to older students in 2026, with new content for Years 7-10 in English and Years 9-10 in maths.

Secondary School Shake-Up
The NCEA qualification is being phased out, replaced by new certificates starting in 2028. Students will study five full subjects, pass four, and vocational subjects will be overseen by industry bodies. Teachers remain divided on the plan, praising some elements while worrying about the speed of implementation.

Lunch and Learning Support Changes
School lunch providers changed this year, affecting hundreds of schools. Complaints over late or poorly prepared meals were widespread, though criticism has eased. The government also boosted learning support funding by $747 million, increasing teacher aides and specialist support—a move welcomed by many principals.

Legal and System Changes
The Teaching Council’s powers were transferred to the Ministry of Education, sparking warnings of a “ministerial power grab.” Meanwhile, the legal requirement for schools to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi was removed, prompting over 800 school boards to reaffirm their support for the treaty independently.

Teacher Concerns
Educators have spoken openly about the overwhelming pace of change. Many say the draft curriculums resemble rigid syllabuses, increasing workloads and stress. The repeated tweaks, especially to maths, and the secretive development of secondary curriculums have drawn sharp criticism.

Looking Ahead to 2026
Next year, schools will extend English and maths curricula to more year levels. Attendance management plans will be mandatory, supported by new software and contracts. The government will expand its school lunch program to Years 0-6 with new providers. Draft secondary curriculums for Years 11-13 are expected in Term 1 for feedback.

Despite the backlash, the government says these reforms are necessary to ensure consistent teaching and improve student achievement nationwide. The coming year will test schools, teachers, and students as they adapt to one of the biggest education overhauls in decades.