24 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1380 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
1326 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
1397 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
1374 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.
13 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1425 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
8 months ago
1332 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
8 months ago
1578 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.
30 Jan 2026
8 months ago
1377 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
8 months ago
1375 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.
14 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1424 views
Over 500 newly graduated doctors have begun working across New Zealand, marking the start of their careers as House Officers providing frontline care. The government is investing in increasing medical school places by 100 annually to build a sustainable health system with more home-grown clinicians. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this growth in the medical workforce will improve access to care for patients and communities nationwide.
18 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1439 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the successful renewal of the Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement, which benefits over 140 principals with improved pay and conditions. Key enhancements include a 4.7% pay increase, a $6,000 NCEA Change Implementation Allowance, phased increases to principal payments, and a $5,000 mentor allowance. The settlement reflects a commitment to professional development, student achievement, and productive negotiations supporting rural school leadership.
15 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1438 views
The Ministry of Education’s ECE Food Programme Kōhanga Reo Survey Report highlights strong support for KidsCan’s delivery of taxpayer-funded meals to up to 10,000 early childhood education (ECE) children, with high ratings for reliability, food safety, communication, flexibility, and professionalism. The report shows significant improvements in children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development linked to the programme, including better energy, concentration, mood, and social interactions. With $4 million in annual government funding and expected taxpayer savings of $145 million in 2026, KidsCan’s programme continues to expand, supporting more children’s nutrition and learning outcomes.
10 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1033 views
The 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.
05 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1161 views
Construction has begun on the Waikato Graduate School of Medicine, supported by over $230 million in funding, to train more doctors and improve primary care access in regional New Zealand. The new graduate-entry program, starting in 2028, aims to create a diverse medical workforce with a focus on rural and regional clinical placements, enhancing healthcare in underserved communities. This initiative complements the Government’s broader investment in the primary care workforce and supports regional development by providing local medical education and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
20 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1126 views
New 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.