The New Zealand Curriculum is currently undergoing a refresh which is expected to be completed by 2027. The refreshed curriculum will be inclusive, clear about the learning that matters, and easy to use from year 0 to year 13. It will also give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The refreshed curriculum content is being developed and released in phases, with schools and kura having until the beginning of 2027 to start using the fully refreshed curriculum. However, schools and kura must use the refreshed mathematics and statistics and English learning areas from the start of 2025. Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories already must be taught in all schools.
The Ministry of Education has stated that the refreshed curriculum will support students to experience success in their learning. It will provide a greater sense of what progress looks like and the learning that matters. The refreshed curriculum will also be designed to support students to develop the skills they need for the future, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital fluency.
Overall, the curriculum refresh is an important step towards ensuring that New Zealand’s education system is relevant and responsive to the needs of students in the 21st century.
