New Zealand to Replace NCEA with New Senior Secondary Qualification System

The Government has taken the first major step in rebuilding New Zealand’s senior secondary qualifications system, with Cabinet agreeing to the structure of a new qualification system to replace NCEA following consultation, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

This is the first of two major milestones that make up a carefully sequenced set of decisions to design a modern qualification system. Our new qualification will be a credible measure of student progress and achievement against the curriculum that parents, employers and universities can trust.

Curriculum sets out the knowledge and skills students should learn. Qualifications should accurately recognise that learning. When those two things aren’t aligned, students are the ones who miss out.

The changes are being developed alongside the Government’s new knowledge-rich national senior secondary curriculum so that what students learn and how they are assessed are properly aligned.

We are ambitious for young New Zealanders and believe they deserve a qualification system built on high expectations that is internationally comparable.

The shortfalls of NCEA are well socialised and longstanding. NCEA has become increasingly fragmented, difficult to understand, and too easy to game. Too often students have been able to gain piecemeal credits without developing the knowledge and skills they need to succeed beyond school.

The 2024 ERO report on NCEA level 1 found three in five teachers and almost half of leaders reported NCEA Level 1 is an unreliable measure of students' knowledge and skills.

We asked teachers, parents and the community what they thought about replacing NCEA and, with more than 10,000 people having their say, there was strong support for structural change to the qualifications, particularly around NCEA Level 1.

So we are building a new system that is clearer, more consistent across schools and internationally comparable so that when a student earns a qualification it genuinely signals they are ready for the next step and reflects what they know and can do.

Cabinet has agreed an initial package outlining the structural components of our new secondary qualification system. These include: Replacing NCEA with a new secondary qualifications system with two levels over two years at Years 12 and 13.

Introducing subject-based assessment for Years 12 and 13, ensuring students are assessed on whole curriculum subjects.

Integrating industry-led subjects into the senior curriculum, providing a single qualification pathway.

Removing NCEA Level 1 and replacing it with deeper, curriculum-driven learning in Year 11. This will better prepare students for the qualification in Years 12 and 13.

Introducing a Foundational Award recognising students’ achievement in literacy and numeracy at a Year 11 curriculum level.

A requirement that all Year 11 students study English | Te Reo Rangatira and Mathematics | Pāngarau from 2028.

Students will be able to sit the Foundational Award when they demonstrate the required literacy and numeracy capability, typically at Year 11 level.

The Foundational Award is designed as a stepping stone into senior secondary qualifications. The basics matter. This award is a strong indicator of readiness to engage with the Year 12 and Year 13 qualification and basic competency in reading, writing and maths.

Next steps This is the first tranche in the design of the new qualification system. By taking decisions in two tranches, we have the time to engage with the sector and undertake detailed design work with the new Technical Advisory Group, on the more technical aspects of the proposal.

Tranche two includes achievement requirements for Year 12 and 13, information about grading, the balance of internal versus and external assessments, weighting of exams, moderation, comparability, and complex decisions.

These questions are interlinked and complex.

It is important to get the balance right to be aspirational for all students, while making sure we are setting them up for success.

Also, during the consultation process, it was suggested it be made compulsory for schools and kura to require Year 11 students to take Science | Pūtaiao. I will be seeking further advice on this.

The new system will be phased in: 2026: Finalise senior secondary curriculum and develop assessment exemplars. Finalise qualification design.

2027: Preparatory year of assessment and PLD.

2028: NCEA Level 1 removed, Year 11 curriculum only, Foundational Award introduced.

2029: New Year 12 qualification and curriculum starts.

2030: New Year 13 qualification and curriculum starts.

No student will need to switch between NCEA and the new qualifications system during their schooling.  The first students to participate are the current Year 9 cohort.

It’s important that we get the reform of secondary school qualifications right, so we will continue to engage with the sector to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for teachers and students.

I expect to take advice on these technical design decisions before Budget, says Ms Stanford.

Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow To further support schools as these reforms progress, there will be a national curriculum and assessment roadshow for secondary school leaders in June this year.

The roadshow will help schools prepare for the new subject-based qualification structure and the knowledge rich curriculum.

These events will support leaders to understand the changes, build capability, and share implementation approaches across the country, says Ms Stanford.