24 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1470 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced Debbie Francis's appointment to the Teaching Council board to support the organisation through significant challenges. Francis, with extensive experience in organisational change and strategy across public and private sectors, is expected to help address pressing issues and restore trust in the council. Her background includes leadership roles at PwC, educational institutions, and a Masters in Public Policy, highlighting her capability to contribute effectively to the council's renewal.
23 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1410 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will open a charter school, Te Kura o Ngāti Whātua ki Tamaki, in Term 3 of 2026, offering innovative, iwi-led, real-world learning with digital tools and cultural integration. The charter school model provides the same funding as state schools but with greater flexibility and stricter accountability to better meet diverse student needs. This new school will be among 20 charter schools opening in 2026, with more expected as the government encourages both new openings and conversions from state schools.
20 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1496 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that Te Kura Awhitu, sponsored by the Tūhoe Charitable Trust, will open as a charter school by Term 2, 2026, offering a full Māori immersion education rooted in Tūhoe traditions and the Te Urewera environment. The charter school model provides autonomy for Tūhoe to embed their language, values, and cultural identity into the curriculum while maintaining strict accountability and using NCEA achievement standards. This initiative reflects a significant step in the Crown-Tūhoe relationship and is part of a broader expansion of charter schools in New Zealand, with 19 schools planned by 2026 and more expected to open or convert.
20 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1500 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that Te Kura Awhitu, sponsored by the Tūhoe Charitable Trust, will open as a charter school by Term 2, 2026, offering full Māori immersion education rooted in Tūhoe culture and using Te Urewera as a learning environment. The charter school model provides autonomy, flexibility, and strict accountability, enabling communities like Tūhoe to embed their language, values, and traditions into the curriculum while meeting NCEA achievement standards. This school will be among 19 charter schools opening in 2026, reflecting the government's commitment to innovative education options driven by community ideas and strict performance measures.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1229 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes the urgent need for major reforms within the Teaching Council following two serious external reviews revealing significant failures, particularly regarding child protection, leadership, and organizational culture. The reports highlight inadequate regulatory focus, misuse of fees, and lack of support for teachers, raising concerns about the capability of previous boards. In response, new board members have been appointed to restore governance and confidence, with a focus on ensuring child safety, supporting teachers, and rebuilding public trust.
13 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1506 views
The Government is prioritizing land for a new secondary school in Kumeū, North-West Auckland, to support the rapidly growing community, with the Notice of Requirement now lodged with Auckland Council. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlighted the government's efforts to deliver more school property efficiently, including halving classroom construction costs, funding new schools, and investing heavily in maintenance. Local MP Chris Penk welcomed the move as a vital step for families, and further school property announcements are expected this year to meet future educational needs.
09 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1386 views
The Government has opened a new primary school, Te Kura Rau Iti, in Flat Bush to accommodate the suburb’s rapid growth, featuring 30 flexible teaching spaces and modern facilities with a $41 million build cost under budget. The school uses a repeatable design to ensure quality and cost-efficiency, avoids large barn-style classrooms, and includes plans for future expansion and learning support initiatives funded by a $746.7 million investment. Local officials highlight the school’s role in relieving pressure on nearby schools and advancing the Government’s commitment to building a world-leading education system.
04 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1541 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced a new te reo Māori training programme for 50,000 teachers, alongside the release of a refreshed curriculum, educational resources, and language handbooks to support bilingual education and Māori student success. These initiatives, supported by Budget 25, include digital learning modules, advanced language textbooks, STEM materials, and hands-on maths resources, all designed to strengthen Māori-medium pathways and align with evidence-based teaching. Additionally, significant government investments are being made in school property redevelopments to accommodate growing rolls and enhance learning environments in Māori immersion schools.
04 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1674 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that Te Whare Kounga, a new charter school in Wairoa, will open in Term 3, 2026 to address the high rates of youth disengagement by offering a hands-on, locally relevant curriculum tailored to students' needs. The charter school model provides the same funding as state schools but with greater flexibility and stricter accountability, enabling innovative community-driven education solutions. Te Whare Kounga joins five other new charter schools opening in 2026, bringing the total to 18, with more expected as the government encourages both new establishments and conversions from state schools.
04 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1454 views
The Government is implementing its Budget 2025 plan by investing $746.7 million to enhance learning support in schools, benefiting hundreds of thousands of students nationwide. Key initiatives include hiring Learning Support Coordinators, expanding the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme, increasing Early Intervention Services, and funding additional Teacher Aide hours, alongside structured literacy and maths intervention programs. To ensure effectiveness, an induction program for Learning Support Coordinators is being launched to provide consistent training and maximize their impact on student achievement.
02 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1400 views
In 2026, New Zealand will implement a nationally consistent assessment and reporting system in primary and intermediate schools to provide parents with clearer, comparable information on their children's progress in reading, writing, and maths. This new framework includes twice-yearly progress check-ins supported by the SMART monitoring tool and replaces a system over 20 years old, addressing long-standing concerns from educational experts about inconsistent reporting. Alongside these changes, the government is enhancing support services such as structured literacy and maths interventions to help students early and improve overall achievement.
02 Feb 2026
9 months ago
1437 views
Work has commenced on the major redevelopment of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna in Wellington, including new teaching blocks and a gym, with completion expected by Term 2, 2027. The project, supported by a $50 million government investment, aims to provide modern, safe, and spacious facilities to accommodate the growing roll and future aspirations of the kura and is part of a broader initiative to enhance Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education. Additional funding has been allocated to curriculum development, teacher training, and support services to strengthen Māori education across New Zealand.
30 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1455 views
The Government is providing support to schools, kura, and families in Northland and Gisborne to minimize disruptions caused by severe weather, including restoring transport services, maintaining school lunch programs, and setting up an Education Hub at Whangaruru School for displaced students. Some schools in Gisborne have postponed start dates or are exploring alternatives like online learning and shared teaching spaces to ensure continued education. The Ministry of Education is actively assessing school damages, offering helplines for concerns, and working closely with schools to provide ongoing assistance and support.
29 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1474 views
The New Zealand Government is establishing two new day specialist schools in Palmerston North and South Auckland by 2027-2028 to support children with high and complex needs, marking the first such development in nearly 50 years. This initiative addresses long-standing demand for specialist education, expanding the total number of specialist schools to 29 and providing families with more tailored learning options. Funded through recent budgets, the schools will feature purpose-built, accessible facilities designed to foster inclusion and help students unlock their potential.
23 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1487 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that Term 4 2025 school attendance reached 57.3%, the highest since 2022, reflecting a steady increase due to government initiatives and parental involvement. Regional attendance was highest in Central and East Auckland at 62.5%, and the government is implementing Attendance Management Plans with escalating interventions for absences to further improve rates. Enhanced frontline attendance services, supported by $140 million funding in Budget 2025, aim to ensure consistent attendance, which is crucial for positive educational and life outcomes.