Articles tagged with Erica
Showing 15 of 149 articles
Historic Settlement Advances Support for Disabled Students in NZ Schools
12 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1217 viewsThe Government has settled a 2012 Human Rights Review Tribunal claim by IHC regarding education policies that disadvantaged disabled students, committing to a Framework for Action to improve support for disabled and neurodiverse learners. This framework includes better data collection, improved specialist services, coordinated education agencies, inclusive curriculum, accessible infrastructure, and investigations into funding and ableism impacts. Significant investments, including $750 million in Budget 25, have been made to increase teacher aide hours, expand early intervention, overhaul funding models, and enhance curriculum and school infrastructure to ensure timely and adequate support for students with additional needs.
Tags: Erica Stanford IHC Ministry of Education Human Rights Review Tribunal Bill of Rights Act Learning Support Ongoing Resourcing Scheme New Zealand Curriculum Budget 25 Education MinisterNew Visa-Free Pathway Boosts New Zealand Tourism with 13,000+ Visitors
10 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 953 viewsNew Zealand’s new visa-free pathway for Chinese and Pacific travellers with eligible Australian visas has attracted over 13,000 visitors in just one month, boosting the economy and benefiting Kiwi businesses. Tourism Minister Louise Upston highlights the positive impact on regional tourism, especially in Christchurch and Queenstown, with increased bookings and job opportunities. The initiative supports New Zealand’s vital tourism sector, encouraging more visitors to experience the country’s hospitality and attractions, particularly during the Chinese New Year.
Tags: New Zealand Chinese travellers Pacific travellers Australian visas Erica Stanford Louise Upston NZeTA tourism Christchurch QueenstownNew Pay Agreement Boosts Secondary Principals' Salaries and Support in NZ
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1018 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced the successful renewal of the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement, approved by the Secondary Principals’ Association of NZ and the Post Primary Teachers Association. The agreement includes a 4.7% base salary increase, a new $15,000 allowance for leading NCEA changes, and recognition for supporting aspiring principals, benefiting around 330 secondary principals from Term 1 next year. Stanford emphasized the importance of principals in raising student achievement and thanked all parties involved for constructive negotiations aimed at supporting teachers and students.
Tags: Erica Stanford Secondary Principals’ Association of NZ SPANZ Post Primary Teachers Association PPTA Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement Sir Brian Roche Education Minister secondary principals NCEAGovernment Boosts School Maintenance Funding with 50% Increase from 2026
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 850 viewsThe Government is significantly increasing school maintenance funding for the first time since 2010, raising the Five Year Agreement (5YA) base rate by 50% and doubling the minimum allocation for small schools starting July 2026. This investment aims to ensure classrooms are safe, warm, and dry, allowing schools greater certainty and flexibility to plan essential upgrades and modernizations over the long term. Additionally, a $58 million package has already provided over 2,400 schools with one-off grants to address urgent maintenance needs, receiving positive feedback from school communities.
Tags: Erica Stanford school property maintenance funding 5 Year Agreement school capital funding classroom upgrades small schools government investment school maintenance taxpayer moneySecondary Teachers Secure Pay Rise in New Collective Agreement Settlement
04 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1309 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has welcomed the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for nearly 25,000 secondary teachers following a majority vote by the Post Primary Teachers' Association members to accept the settlement. The agreement includes a cumulative pay increase of up to 4.7% by January 2027, increased management allowances, and the introduction of a Principal’s Nominee Allowance. This settlement reflects the government's commitment to investing in education and supporting teachers to deliver high-quality learning for students.
Tags: Erica Stanford Post Primary Teachers' Association PPTA Secondary Teachers Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement STCA Education Minister Principal’s Nominee Allowance New Zealand Teachers Pay NegotiationsEducation Minister Announces Pay Rise Settlement for Community Educators
01 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 940 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has welcomed the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for community education professionals after PPTA members voted to accept the settlement. The Community Education Collective Agreement (CECA) will provide pay increases benefiting over 1,000 community educators who support lifelong learning in areas such as adult education, music, and specialist tutoring. Stanford emphasized the valuable role of community education providers and highlighted the settlement as a positive result of good faith bargaining.
Tags: Erica Stanford Education Minister Post Primary Teachers' Association PPTA Community Education Collective Agreement CECA community education lifelong learning pay negotiations community educatorsNZ and Estonia Strengthen Education Ties to Boost Student Success and AI Learning
27 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 821 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford welcomed Estonian Education Minister Dr. Kristina Kallas to New Zealand to exchange insights on their high-performing education systems and reforms. They discussed Estonia’s success in achieving strong academic results with equity, particularly in reading, math, and science, and explored Estonia’s AI-Leap programme integrating AI literacy into education. The visit also included meetings with New Zealand education officials and emphasized ongoing collaboration in science, research, and education innovation between the two countries.
Tags: Erica Stanford Kristina Kallas Education Minister Estonia New Zealand OECD PISA Auckland University of Technology Ministry of EducationGovernment Maths Reforms Deliver Up to Two Years’ Progress in Just 12 Weeks
25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 758 viewsA nationwide 12-week maths acceleration trial for Year 7 and 8 students showed remarkable progress, with participants making one to two years’ growth in fundamental maths skills, while students learning under the new curriculum also achieved an average of one year’s progress. The Government’s Make It Count maths action plan, including structured curriculum, daily maths lessons, and targeted tutoring, is credited for these gains, which were consistent across diverse backgrounds and learning models (in-person, hybrid, online). With $40 million funding, the programme is expanding nationwide in 2026, aiming to raise achievement, close equity gaps, and build student confidence in maths through strong foundations and teacher support.
Tags: Erica Stanford Mitchell AlexanderNew Zealand Business Investor Visa Now Open for Experienced Investors
23 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 959 viewsNew Zealand has launched the Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will actively contribute to established businesses, supporting economic growth and job creation. The visa offers two investment pathways: $1 million for a three-year work-to-residence option and $2 million for a 12-month fast-track to residence. This initiative aims to sustain local businesses, protect jobs, and bring fresh capital and expertise into the economy as part of broader efforts to boost investment and growth.
Tags: Business Investor Visa New Zealand Immigration Erica Stanford investment business growth Active Investor Plus visa economic growth overseas investorsGovernment Cell Phone Ban in Schools Boosts Student Focus, Achievement, and Behavior
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 916 viewsNew research from the Education Review Office shows that banning cell phones in schools has improved student focus, behaviour, achievement, and reduced bullying. Despite these positive outcomes, about a third of senior students still break the rules, mainly to message parents, highlighting the need for parental support and updated school guidelines. The government is considering expanding the ban to include smartwatches and continues to support schools in implementing policies that enhance student learning and wellbeing.
Tags: Education Review Office Erica Stanford cell phone ban student achievement bullying reduction student behaviour secondary schools digital distractions school policy technology in educationNew Zealand Education Reform Bill Advances to Improve Teacher Training and School Standards
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 909 viewsThe Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill aims to strengthen New Zealand’s education system by improving initial teacher education quality, aligning system-level settings, and enhancing school property management through a new Crown agency. It introduces updated curriculum requirements, tighter school attendance rules, enhanced oversight of private schools, and expanded support for charter schools to increase educational options and innovation. The bill also mandates participation in international assessments, recognizes micro-credentials, and refines processes to better support student success and system responsiveness.
Tags: Erica Stanford Seymour Education Minister Teaching Council Ministry of Education Education Review Office TALIS report NZQA OECD Charter schoolsNew Zealand Education Reform Bill Advances to Improve Teacher Quality and School Standards
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1001 viewsThe Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill aims to strengthen New Zealand’s education system by improving initial teacher education quality, aligning system-level settings, and enhancing school property management through a new Crown agent. It introduces updated curriculum requirements, tighter school attendance rules, transfers regulatory functions to the Education Review Office, and supports charter school expansion to increase educational options. These reforms seek to ensure better student outcomes, clearer standards, and greater accountability across the education sector.
Tags: Erica Stanford Seymour Education Minister Teaching Council Ministry of Education Education Review Office TALIS report NZQA OECD Secretary of EducationEducation Minister Praises Ellen MacGregor-Reid as New Secretary for Education
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1030 viewsEllen MacGregor-Reid has been appointed as the new Secretary for Education, a role she has been acting in since October 2024. She has a strong background in education leadership, having held senior positions at the Ministry of Education since 2015. The Education Minister, Erica Stanford, highlights MacGregor-Reid's role in driving the government's education agenda and expresses optimism about working together to improve outcomes for all students.
Tags: Education Minister Erica Stanford Secretary for Education reforms achievement outcomes young people New Zealand Ministry of EducationGovernment Marks Anniversary of Apology to Abuse Survivors: Acknowledgment, Remembrance, and Support
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 969 viewsThe Government marks one year since apologizing to survivors of abuse and neglect in care, acknowledging their suffering and emphasizing the need for remembrance and support. Survivor communities across New Zealand held events supported by the National Day of Reflection Fund, promoting healing and awareness. An additional $2.7 million is allocated for the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund to provide ongoing support services and efforts to prevent future abuse in care.
Tags: Government survivors abuse neglect care Prime Minister Leader of the Opposition Erica Stanford New Zealanders survivors communityEducation Reform: Enhancing Student Achievement, Attendance, and Freedom of Expression with New Bill
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1026 viewsThe Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) has passed its third reading in Parliament, focusing on lifting student achievement, improving education workforce governance, and upholding freedom of expression in universities. Key changes include prioritizing educational achievement for school boards, extending notice period for strike action, implementing attendance management plans, strengthening teacher education requirements, and requiring universities to develop freedom of expression statements. The legislation aims to improve outcomes for young people, enhance academic freedom, and promote critical thinking and diversity in universities.
Tags: Government schools student achievement attendance education workforce governance freedom of expression Education and Training Amendment Bill Erica Stanford unions universities