Articles tagged with Education Minister
Michelle Findlater Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
5 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 industryProsecution 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 casePrimary Teachers Secure Pay Rise and Unit Parity in New Collective Agreement
1 month ago | 477 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 systemNew 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 qualificationsTerm 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 curriculumEducation Minister Erica Stanford Welcomes New Primary Principals’ Pay Deal
2 months ago | 495 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has announced the successful renewal of the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement, ratified by NZEI members, covering around 1,300 primary principals. The settlement includes immediate and future pay increases, a $15,000 Curriculum Change Allowance, and an increased Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy payment, recognizing principals' leadership during educational reforms. Stanford emphasized the importance of principals' roles in schools and communities and thanked the Public Service Commissioner for facilitating the negotiations.
Tags: Erica Stanford NZEI Te Riu Roa Primary Principals Brian Roche Public Service Commissioner PPCA Education Minister Curriculum Change Allowance Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy Primary Principals’ Collective AgreementNew Maths, English & Science Resources Boost NZ Student Achievement and Engagement
2 months ago | 436 viewsThe Government is introducing new Maths, English, and Science resources, including a Writing Acceleration Tool for Years 6-10, digital maths materials for Years 9-10, and hands-on science kits for primary schools, aiming to raise student achievement and close equity gaps. These initiatives, supported by professional development and extensive funding, align with curriculum standards and target improving literacy and numeracy levels, with a goal of 80% of Year 8 students meeting expected benchmarks by 2030. Additionally, specialized resources and support are being developed for Māori-medium education, and widespread teacher and school engagement is planned to ensure effective implementation.
Tags: Erica Stanford Education Minister Scribo House of Science Education Perfect Make it Write Budget 2025 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Curriculum Insights and Progress StudyEducation Minister Appoints Debbie Francis to Revitalize Teaching Council Board
2 months ago | 507 viewsEducation 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.
Tags: Erica Stanford Debbie Francis Teaching Council PwC New Zealand Correspondence School UCOL Lincoln University Education Minister organisational change public policyEducation Minister Calls for Major Reforms in Teaching Council After Serious Reviews
2 months ago | 413 viewsEducation 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.
Tags: Erica Stanford Teaching Council Education Minister child protection leadership regulatory standards teachers governance organisational culture board membersGovernment Allocates Land for New Kumeū Secondary School in North-West Auckland
2 months ago | 579 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Erica Stanford Chris Penk Kumeū Huapai District School Kaipara ki Mahurangi Education Minister Government Resource Management Act 1991 Auckland CouncilNew Flat Bush School Opens with Modern Design and Learning Support
3 months ago | 495 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Erica Stanford Rima Nakhle Te Kura Rau Iti Flat Bush Ahutoetoe School Brookfields School Te Pae School Takanini Education Minister GovernmentNew Charter School Te Whare Kounga to Open in Wairoa Term 3 2026
3 months ago | 597 viewsAssociate 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.
Tags: David Seymour Te Whare Kounga Te Papatipu Matihiko Wairoa Charter School Agency Authorisation Board NCEA Associate Education Minister New Zealand Charter SchoolsBudget 2025 Boosts Learning Support with $746M Investment for NZ Schools
3 months ago | 488 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Erica Stanford Budget 2025 Learning Support Coordinators Early Intervention Services Teacher Aide Hours Ongoing Resourcing Scheme Ministry of Education Structured Literacy Maths Intervention Education MinisterTerm 4 2025 School Attendance Hits Highest Rate Since 2022, Says Minister
3 months ago | 563 viewsAssociate 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.
Tags: David Seymour Simon Clarke Associate Education Minister Term 4 attendance Auckland Attendance Service Provider Attendance Management Plan Budget 2025