Education News & Articles
New School Lunch Programme to Provide Affordable Nutritious Meals to 242,000 Students Daily from 2026
2 days ago | 67 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced a new school lunch program starting in Term 1 of 2026, providing affordable, nutritious lunches to around 242,000 students daily in contributing primary schools. Ten suppliers have been contracted to deliver lunches to 188 schools, catering to standard and special diets with sustainable packaging and efficient ordering systems. The program aims to save taxpayers $145 million in 2026 by utilizing a regional approach, offering meals at an average cost of $3.46 per lunch without requiring additional funding.
Tags: David Seymour school lunch programme suppliers nutritious meals primary schools affordable taxpayers funding studentsGovernment Initiatives to Improve Teacher Education Quality and Governance
6 days ago | 89 viewsThe Government is addressing issues in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to improve teacher quality and restore trust. Recent reports have highlighted deficiencies in teacher training, with many new teachers lacking confidence in subject content and teaching approaches. Legislative changes will transfer professional standard setting functions from the Teaching Council to the Ministry of Education to ensure stronger oversight and clearer policy direction in ITE.
Tags: Government Initial Teacher Education Education Minister Erica Stanford OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey Education Review Office Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Education Teaching Council Education and Training Amendment Bill.Innovative Autism NZ Education Hub to Open in 2026: A Personalized Approach for Neurodivergent Students
1 week ago | 110 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour announced the opening of the Autism NZ Education Hub in Term 3, 2026, as a charter school, providing a tailored education option for autistic and neurodivergent secondary school students in Wellington and Auckland. The hub will offer personalized learning plans focusing on students' strengths, interests, and needs, aiming to address the high rates of absence and school rejection among neurodivergent and disabled students. The charter school model aims to bring innovative education options to communities, with a focus on flexibility, accountability, and student success, with plans for more charter schools to open in the future.
Tags: David Seymour Autism NZ Education Hub Charter School Autism NZ Dane Dougan Education Minister Education Review Office Alternative Education Charter School Agency Authorisation BoardNew Zealand Unveils Comprehensive Year 1–10 Education Curriculum for a World-Leading System
1 week ago | 115 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced the release of New Zealand's new Year 1–10 curriculum, emphasizing the importance of updating the curriculum after almost 20 years to provide a clear, knowledge-rich, and fair education system. The draft curriculum is open for consultation for six months to gather feedback from educators and stakeholders, with a focus on local relevance and global standards. The curriculum includes key updates in subjects like Social Sciences, Science, Health & Physical Education, The Arts, Technology, and Learning Languages to ensure a nationally consistent framework for essential knowledge and better outcomes for all students.
Tags: Education Minister Erica Stanford New Zealand Curriculum Learner Consultation Teachers Educators Kiwi learners New ZealandersNew Zealand's Education Minister to Promote High-Quality Education at China Expo
2 weeks ago | 133 viewsDr Shane Reti, the Universities and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister of New Zealand, will lead a delegation to promote the country's high-quality education offerings at the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education in Beijing. New Zealand is the Country of Honour at the event, which draws over 35,000 participants and highlights the strong educational partnerships between New Zealand and China. The visit aims to strengthen education links, increase the value of international education, and explore new opportunities for research cooperation between the two countries.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand China Education Innovation Technology Minister Universities Science International EducationNew Appointments and Reappointments to University Governing Councils Announced
2 weeks ago | 154 viewsDr Shane Reti has announced new appointments and reappointments to the governing councils of Lincoln University, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi to ensure capable and experienced leadership for tertiary education institutions. Grant Miller and David Jensen have been appointed and reappointed to the Lincoln University Council, while Mei Fern Johnson, Megan Evans, Jeremy Gardiner, and Dr Warren Williams are new appointments to other councils. Dr Reti appreciates the commitment of all members, including outgoing council members Hon Maryan Street, Dr Tuihana Pook, and Charlie Tawhiao, for their contributions to the institutions.
Tags: Shane Reti Grant Miller Mei Fern Johnson Megan Evans Jeremy Gardiner Warren Williams David Jensen Ross Buckley Rauru Kirikiri Maryan StreetGovernment Ministers Urge Unions to Call Off Unfair Strikes for the Sake of Students and Patients
2 weeks ago | 111 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins criticizes the proposed strike as unfair, unproductive, and unnecessary, urging for its cancellation due to the negative impact on patients with canceled appointments, students missing school, and upcoming exams for NCEA-level students. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlights the government's efforts to increase salaries for teachers, emphasizing the rejection of the latest offer by the PPTA. Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the rejected offer for senior doctors, highlighting their current remuneration and proposed salary increases, while also mentioning the proposed fund for addressing workforce shortages.
Tags: strike Public Service Minister Judith Collins Education Minister Erica Stanford negotiations unions Health Minister Simeon Brown Senior Doctors Registered Nurses industrial actionNew Zealand Launches Expanded Curriculum for Students with High Needs
2 weeks ago | 131 viewsThe Government is introducing the Expanded New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) to assist 12,000 students with high and complex additional needs starting from Term 1 next year. This resource aims to provide clear guidance and evidence-based practices for teachers in delivering curriculum-aligned teaching, particularly in English and Mathematics. Developed in collaboration with the Specialist Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand, the Expanded NZC ensures that learners' needs are recognized and supported for their progress and achievement.
Tags: Government New Zealand Curriculum Education Minister Erica Stanford Specialist Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand Expanded NZC English Mathematics learners progress achievementNew Sisters United Academy Charter School Empowering Pasifika Girls for Success in 2026
2 weeks ago | 117 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced the opening of Sisters United Academy in Term 1 2026 as a charter school, focusing on personalized education for Pasifika girls. The school will offer tailored curriculum, including traditional activities and Pasifika languages, with a mix of learning opportunities such as internships and overseas study. Charter schools aim to provide innovative, community-driven educational approaches with a focus on flexibility, accountability, and student success.
Tags: David Seymour Sisters United Academy Pasifika girls charter school education students learning tools community ideas charter schools state schoolsCurriculum Roadshow for Leaders: Empowering School Leaders for Curriculum Change in New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 106 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has launched the Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders to support school leaders in leading curriculum change nationwide. The program emphasizes collaboration, leading through changes, and sharing best practices to implement a strengthened national curriculum effectively. The initiative includes expert insights, practical strategies, and resources to aid in implementing curriculum changes, with a staged release plan for different learning areas leading up to 2030's goal of 80% Year 8 students achieving at or above curriculum expectations.
Tags: Erica Stanford Curriculum Roadshow Leaders School leaders Collaboration Curriculum change National curriculum Dr Nathaniel Swain Structured teaching approaches Education MinisterNew Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa: Charter School for Athletes Opens 2026
2 weeks ago | 146 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced the opening of the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) as a charter school for athletes in Term 1 2026. The school aims to support students with serious sporting aspirations by providing both athletic training and academic education. The academy will initially focus on elite football and rugby union training, with plans to expand to other sports based on student needs, and will offer a nationally recognized curriculum alongside world-class athletic development.
Tags: David Seymour New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa Charter school Athletes Education Minister Sports training Wellington Phoenix Football Academy Rugby union Academic education Charter School AgencyGovernment's Efficient School Property Investment: $100M for New Classrooms
3 weeks ago | 129 viewsThe Government's focus on efficiency in school property has freed up $100 million for reinvestment in new classrooms. By utilizing offsite manufacturing and repeatable designs, the cost of delivering new classrooms has been halved. This investment includes new classrooms and learning support spaces in various schools, as well as funding for repairs and upgrades in schools nationwide.
Tags: Erica Stanford Education Minister school property classrooms new school learning support classrooms infrastructure efficiency value for money fundingNew Curriculum Updates and Resources to Boost Student Achievement: Insights from Education Minister Erica Stanford
3 weeks ago | 134 viewsThe Government, led by Education Minister Erica Stanford, is implementing new curriculum updates, resources, and assessments to improve student achievement. The updated learning areas for English and Mathematics will be available from October 20, with other subjects phased in by 2028 to allow schools more time for planning. Additional support for teachers, including professional learning, resources, and assessment tools like SMART and PATs, will be provided to ensure student progress and parental awareness of their children's performance.
Tags: Government student achievement curriculum updates resources assessments Education Minister Erica Stanford learning areas teachers implementationGovernment's Mandate on Structured Literacy and Math Improves Student Engagement and Ability, ERO Report Confirms
3 weeks ago | 150 viewsThe Education Review Office (ERO) research confirms that the Government's decision to mandate structured literacy and mathematics has led to improved student engagement and ability. Teachers, parents, and students have reported better progress in English and maths, with new approaches like structured literacy improving attention and behavior in the classroom. The government's investment in teacher training and resources has resulted in 80% of teachers changing their teaching methods, with a focus on explicit teaching techniques benefiting all schools, particularly those in lower socio-economic communities.
Tags: Education Review Office Government structured literacy structured mathematics student engagement ability Education Minister Erica Stanford primary school teachers English mathsNew Charter Schools Announced for 2026: Aotearoa Infinite Academy, Te Aratika High School, and Altum Academic
3 weeks ago | 210 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced the opening of Aotearoa Infinite Academy, Te Aratika High School, and Altum Academic as charter schools in Term 1 2026, emphasizing the importance of providing tailored education opportunities. Aotearoa Infinite Academy offers online education to overcome barriers to attendance, while Te Aratika High School in Hawkes Bay focuses on vocational training for disengaged Māori and Pacific students. Altum Academy in Wellington aims to address the equity gap by offering a Classical Education approach based on the Trivium method, preparing students for critical thinking and communication skills.
Tags: David Seymour Aotearoa Infinite Academy Te Aratika High School Altum Academic charter schools education students innovation Māori Pacific