Articles tagged with Education
Michelle Findlater Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
4 days ago | 119 viewsTertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has appointed Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a three-year term starting May 2026. Michelle, with extensive experience in the automotive industry and work-based training, has been recognized for her contributions and potential, including receiving the Janet Lane Scholarship from MITO. Her expertise is expected to support the TEC’s focus on enhancing access, participation, and achievement in tertiary education to build the workforce New Zealand needs.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Michelle Findlater Bharat Guha Tertiary Education Commission MITO Janet Lane Scholarship Harvard University Southland Chamber of Commerce Tertiary Education Minister automotive industryGovernment Advances Child Safety with New Training and Early Childhood Protections
5 days ago | 154 viewsThe Government is advancing improvements to the children’s system, implementing recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance child safety. Key initiatives include establishing an inter-agency hub for information sharing on at-risk children, rolling out foundational child protection training for workers, and strengthening early childhood education centres’ child protection policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote timely abuse reporting and clarify privacy laws to support information sharing for child safety.
Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Child Poverty Reduction Minister Education Review Office Ministry of Education Office of the Privacy Commissioner Cabinet ERO Poutasi Review Core Children’s WorkersGovernment and Cancer Society Invest $2M to Expand SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention Program
1 week ago | 124 viewsThe Government and the Cancer Society are jointly investing $2 million to expand the SunSmart programme, aiming to enhance national skin cancer prevention through education in schools, workplaces, and communities. New Zealand faces high rates of skin cancer, with thousands diagnosed annually and significant mortality, making prevention and early detection critical. The expanded initiative will include updated digital content, practical resources, and targeted support for outdoor workers, responding to widespread sunburn prevalence and the need for coordinated public health efforts.
Tags: Simeon Brown Cancer Society SunSmart Health New Zealand skin cancer melanoma cancer prevention New Zealand public education outdoor workersProsecution Threat Boosts Student Re-Enrollment, Says Education Minister
1 week ago | 143 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour states that the threat of prosecution has effectively encouraged students to re-enroll in school, with 34 cases notified and 17 resolved without prosecution. One prosecution related to attendance is currently before the courts, but no further details are provided to protect privacy and avoid prejudicing the case. Despite the initiative's success, Labour's education spokesperson has expressed a desire to remove it.
Tags: David Seymour Ministry of Education Associate Education Minister Labour Prosecutions Unit attendance prosecution education spokesperson legal caseTerm 1 2026 School Attendance Hits Highest Rate Since 2022, Rising to 68.6%
2 weeks ago | 212 viewsTerm 1 2026 school attendance rates increased to 68.6%, the highest since 2022, reflecting a 2.7 percentage point rise from 2025 and significant improvement since 2022’s 46.5%. The government has implemented mandatory attendance management plans with escalating interventions for absences, supported by $140 million funding to improve attendance and accountability in frontline services. Higher attendance is linked to better educational and life outcomes, with Central and East Auckland showing the highest regular attendance rates.
Tags: David Seymour school attendance Term 1 2026 education data attendance rates Auckland attendance management plan Attendance Service Provider Budget 2025Charter Schools in NZ See Strong Growth as Families Demand More Education Choice
1 month ago | 318 viewsAs of March 1, 2026, 1,471 students were enrolled in 16 charter schools in New Zealand, reflecting strong parental demand for diverse schooling options tailored to children’s needs. Charter schools receive slightly less funding per student than state schools but offer greater flexibility combined with strict accountability, leading to increased enrollment and expansion due to high demand. Associate Education Minister David Seymour emphasizes that community-driven ideas and measured results contribute to student success, with further growth expected as new schools open.
Tags: David Seymour charter schools New Zealand education schooling options Charter School Agency Northwest College Twin Oaks School Ministry for Education education fundingGovernment Prioritizes Keeping Schools Open Amid Fuel Supply Challenges
1 month ago | 337 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes the Government’s priority to keep schools open and students learning amid fuel supply challenges, aiming to avoid the damaging effects of past lockdowns. The Ministry of Education is actively assessing individual school needs, monitoring fuel impacts, and collaborating with sector groups to provide targeted support and maintain critical services like transport and heating. Schools, families, and communities are working together, with many schools already planning responses and improving fuel efficiency, while the Ministry continues to develop practical solutions based on ongoing consultations.
Tags: Erica Stanford Ministry of Education Government schools students fuel supply education system Rural Schools Association school transport pandemic lockdownsPrimary Teachers Secure Pay Rise and Unit Parity in New Collective Agreement
1 month ago | 471 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced the successful renewal of the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement, ratified by NZEI members, which includes cumulative pay increases of around 4.6-4.7% by January 2027 for primary teachers. The agreement also resolves a longstanding inequity by raising the value of primary teaching units from $4,500 to $5,500 by October 2028, achieving parity with secondary teachers. Stanford emphasized the importance of primary teachers’ dedication to education and committed to providing ongoing support and resources to enhance student achievement.
Tags: Erica Stanford Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement NZEI Education Minister primary teachers salary increase pay scale unit parity collective agreement education systemGovernment Report Shows Positive Impact on Youth Offending and School Attendance
1 month ago | 305 viewsThe Government’s 2024/25 Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy highlights positive progress in reducing youth offending, child abuse, and food insecurity, while improving school attendance and parental support. Despite these gains, challenges persist with 14.3% of children experiencing material hardship and an increase in households receiving main benefits amid tough economic conditions. The Government remains committed to practical, evidence-based solutions through coordinated programs targeting education, health, housing, and welfare to further improve outcomes for children and young people.
Tags: Louise Upston Child Poverty Reduction Minister New Zealand Government Child and Youth Strategy Ministry of Social Development Kahu Taurima Healthy School Lunches Early Childhood Education Food Food Secure Communities Attendance Action PlanNew Zealand to Replace NCEA with New Senior Secondary Qualification System
1 month ago | 737 viewsThe New Zealand Government has agreed to replace NCEA with a new senior secondary qualification system featuring two levels over Years 12 and 13, subject-based assessments, and a foundational Year 11 award focusing on literacy and numeracy. This reform aims to create a clearer, more consistent, and internationally comparable qualification aligned with a new knowledge-rich curriculum, addressing longstanding issues of fragmentation and reliability in NCEA. The phased implementation will begin in 2026, with ongoing sector engagement and support, including a national curriculum and assessment roadshow to prepare schools for the changes.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand NCEA Education Minister senior secondary qualifications curriculum reform Foundational Award Year 11 curriculum Cabinet secondary school qualificationsCharter Schools Show Promising Attendance Rates with Focus on Improvement
1 month ago | 308 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour reports that charter schools, which opened in 2025, have shown promising attendance rates slightly above state schools, with some schools significantly improving attendance among students facing educational challenges. Charter schools receive greater autonomy and funding flexibility but must meet minimum attendance standards based on their equity index, with ongoing monitoring and potential intervention by the Authorisation Board if standards are not met. The government aims for 80% regular attendance, emphasizing accountability to ensure more children attend school, learn, and succeed.
Tags: David Seymour charter schools attendance rate baseline data education challenges minimum standards equity index Authorisation Board school funding student attendanceTerm 4 School Attendance Hits Highest Rate Since 2022, Showing Steady Growth
1 month ago | 326 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour highlights that Term 4 2025 saw the highest regular school attendance rates since 2022, with 57.3% of students attending at least 90% of the term, reflecting a steady upward trend driven by government initiatives and increased parental involvement. Regional attendance rates were highest in Central and East Auckland at 62.6%, and schools are now required to implement attendance management plans with escalating interventions for absences, supported by improved frontline services and $140 million in additional funding over four years. Seymour emphasizes that regular attendance is crucial for positive educational and life outcomes, and early Term 1 data indicates the positive trend is continuing.
Tags: David Seymour Term 4 attendance school attendance New Zealand education attendance rates attendance initiatives attendance management plan student attendance Education Minister attendance dataNew Simplified ERO School Reports to Boost Parent Insights from Term 2
1 month ago | 364 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced an overhaul of ERO’s school reports to provide parents with clearer, more relevant information focused on student achievement, progress, and engagement. The new reports, co-designed with parents and launching in Term 2, will offer detailed, easy-to-understand visuals covering nearly twice as many topics, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement. This initiative complements wider government education reforms aimed at enhancing student outcomes through improved assessments and reporting, ensuring parents can actively support their child's learning journey.
Tags: Erica Stanford ERO Education Minister parents school reports student achievement education reforms Phonics Check Year 2 maths check curriculumNew Year 2 Maths Check to Boost Early Learning and Student Success
1 month ago | 346 viewsThe new Year 2 maths check, part of the Make it Count maths action plan, aims to assess early number concept understanding and provide teachers with a quick snapshot of student progress to identify learning needs early. Currently in trial across 100 schools, this 15-minute one-on-one assessment will be available nationwide by year-end and focuses on key maths skills such as numbers to 120, operations, and early fractions. Supported by a $717 million investment in learning resources and teacher development, the initiative seeks to improve maths achievement and ensure students receive timely support for future success.
Tags: Erica Stanford Year 2 maths check Make it Count maths assessment early years maths learning support Phonics checks maths skills education reforms student achievementScott Haines Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
1 month ago | 305 viewsMinister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds has appointed Scott Haines JP, Principal of Burnside High School, to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Board for a three-year term starting July 1, 2026. Haines brings extensive school leadership experience and national contributions, including roles with SPANZ and NCEA advisory groups, which will support TEC’s role in connecting schools, employers, and tertiary organizations. His expertise will help implement the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy focused on access, participation, and workforce development.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Scott Haines Yvonne Browning Burnside High School Motueka High School Waimea College Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand NCEA NZQA Tertiary Education Commission