Attendance, achievement and assessment#

Register for maths PLD Years 0 to 8 catch-up days webinars#

To support a comprehensive understanding of the 2025 Mathematics and Statistics learning area for Years 0 to 8, and to assist with programme planning for 2026, we are hosting a series of one-hour catch-up webinars. These webinars correspond to each content day of the PLD delivery.

You can register for all four sessions or select specific sessions. To register, visit:

Maths Professional Learning and Development – Professional Learning and Development

Mathematics and Statistics PLD workshops and webinars#

This PLD is designed to strengthen teachers’ understanding of the refreshed Mathematics and Statistics learning area, and to deepen their pedagogical content knowledge of key concepts for Years 9 to 10. Registrations for two full-day, in-person workshops or four one-hour webinars are now open:

Mathematics and Statistics Years 9–10: Workshops

You can read about the PLD at:

Mathematics and Statistics PLD Years 9–10 – Professional Learning and Development

Register for maths Years 7 to 8 online workshops#

We have opened applications for Years 7 and 8 teachers to register for a series of interactive online workshops scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027. This will help teachers’ understanding of rational numbers and algebra and of students’ needs.

For more information, visit:

Maths knowledge building Years 7 to 8 – Professional Learning and Development

Reminder applications for cohort 8 PLD for structured literacy approaches and te reo matatini#

Applications for cohort 8 of the Ministry-funded professional learning and development (PLD) for structured literacy approaches and Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā (structured te reo matatini) close on 6 March. For more information, visit:

PLD for structured literacy and te reo Matatini approaches – Professional learning and development

Enrolments for cohort 5 targeted structured literacy approaches PLD#

Enrolments close on 10 April for cohort 5 Ministry-funded targeted professional learning development (PLD) to support structured literacy approaches (SLA) intervention teachers.

This PLD supports our initiative to have a literacy specialist in every school and is available to schools receiving the staffing entitlement for literacy support. Any staff member holding the SLA staffing resource role can enrol. We encourage you to enrol any eligible teachers in this PLD.

For information on upcoming cohorts, how to enrol, and a list of approved providers of this PLD, visit:

SLA PLD for targeted teaching to support staffing entitlement teachers – Professional learning and development 

Any pātai, email us.

Email: [email protected]

New New Zealand Curriculum teaching resources available#

Secondary schools can now access a range of draft curriculum resources to help them start exploring, planning and teaching the draft New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) this year. We are also seeking feedback on these so we can continue to improve them. There’s more information at:

New NZC resources available online – Tāhūrangi

New Ready to Read Phonics Plus books#

Seven new Ready to Read Phonics Plus books are being sent to schools and kura that use The New Zealand Curriculum. These titles span the Rākau and Māhuri phases and support structured literacy approaches.

Digital versions and updated Book Phase Overviews are available at:

Ready to Read Phonics Plus - Series Introduction – Tāhūrangi

Order up to 15 additional copies per title at:

Home – Down the Back of the Chair

For larger orders, use the online form or contact us.

Email: [email protected]

If your school has not received copies by the end of Term 1, email us.

Email: [email protected]

SMART self-directed modules#

The first self-directed online module for SMART is now available on the Education Learning Management System (LMS). This is the first in a series of on-demand modules to support schools and kura ahead of SMART in-school set-up later this month.

Login – Education Learning Management System (LMS)

More modules on effective assessment and aromatawai practices, including using SMART will be released between now and April. Read more at:

SMART – Overview and access

Online writing acceleration tool for Years 6 to 10#

State and state-integrated schools teaching the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) can register their interest to access Scribo, an online writing acceleration tool, from now to 13 March.

This tool is for Years 6 to 10 students who are one or more years behind curriculum expectations in writing. Students will work with their classroom teacher or structured literacy approaches (SLA) teacher, where one is available, to scaffold their learning in writing into their current year level. You can register your interest by providing an indication of the numbers of students and teachers likely to access the tool through Salesforce.

Visit Tāhūrangi to find out more:

Writing Acceleration Supports – Tāhūrangi

Expanded New Zealand Curriculum: Supporting resource available now#

‘Expanded New Zealand Curriculum: Supporting Resource for Students with Complex Learning Needs’ has been released. It is a practical resource designed to support high quality teaching for students with complex needs. Developed with the Specialist Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SEPAnz), it is nationally available and aligned to the NZC, helping teachers plan and deliver tailored learning to students’ unique needs. Check it out at:

Expanded NZC – For Students with Complex Learning Needs

Consultation under way on draft National Curriculum#

Have your say on learning areas in the draft National Curriculum. The draft frameworks and Years 0 to 10 content for both the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are available for consultation until 24 April. You can provide feedback here:

Consultation for Year 0 to 10 draft curriculum content

Draft Te Marautanga o Aotearoa released for consultation 

Workforce and resourcing#

Teacher Demand and Supply Report 2025#

We have released the Teacher Demand and Supply Report 2025, which forecasts how many teachers will be needed over the next three years at both a national and regional level, based on demand. You can see the report here:

Teacher demand and supply planning projection – 2025 results – Education Counts

The updated projections show a surplus of 530 primary teachers in 2026 growing to a surplus of 1,350 in 2028, based on the mid-range scenario.

The report also shows that to meet projected demand, an additional 710 secondary teachers are likely to be needed during 2026, reducing to an additional 190 being required by 2028, also based on the mid-range scenario.

We have more qualified teachers in the system (permanent, part-time and relief staff) than we have had in the last 20 years, which is good for learners. In addition, preliminary enrolments in teacher training for primary and secondary increased over 25% from the previous year, which is positive for the future sustainability of the teaching profession in New Zealand.

New Zealand Education Excellence Awards launched#

Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford has announced the New Zealand Education Excellence Awards | Ngā Tohu Kairangi Mātauranga o Aotearoa, a new national awards programme recognising outstanding performance by schools and kura across four categories.

The award nomination and applications open on 16 March and close 1 May.

We will be hosting webinars covering the nomination and application process, assessment criteria and conditions of entry. These will be recorded and uploaded to our website.

Webinar options:

11 March 4 to 4.45pm – Microsoft Events

12 March 11 to 11.45am – Microsoft Events

For more information, visit:

New Zealand Education Excellence Awards

Principal Development Map updated for new opportunities#

The Principal Development Map (PDM) is an interactive tool for aspiring and current principals containing professional learning, development opportunities and resources.

It has been expanded with opportunities from professional registered coaches, Australian universities, Australian principal associations, and All-of Government suppliers. Activities will continue to be added over time.

Find more information here:

Principal Development Map – Education Workforce

Principals covered by the PPCBU collective agreement (or relevant IEA) have a professional development fund for principal leadership that is directly linked to the PDM.

For more information about the criteria of this fund, visit:

Primary principals' collective and individual employment agreements

New VTE and IEA for Support Staff Kaiārahi i te reo and Therapists available#

The School Support Staff and Kaiārahi i te Reo and Therapists’ Collective Agreements (SSSCA and KRCA) lapsed on 19 December. The employees that were bound by these agreements are now on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) reflecting the same terms and conditions. We have published a variation to terms and conditions of employment (VTE) for support staff, kaiārahi i te reo and therapists with updated rates and terms and conditions on our website. An IEA has also been published reflecting the VTE for new employees.

Read about the updates and required actions in the Circular:

Education Circular 2026/03

The VTEs and IEAs are available here:

Kaiārahi i te reo and therapists' collective and individual agreements

School Support Staff Collective and individual employment agreements

Any queries, contact The New Zealand School Boards Association (NZSBA).

Phone: 0800 782 435

Email: [email protected]

Collective agreement settlement for primary principals#

A Circular is available about the recent collective agreement settlement of the Primary Principals’ (NZEI Te Riu Roa) Collective Agreement. It provides information about pay increases and other changes to terms and conditions for principals who are members of the NZEI Te Riu Roa. An individual employment agreement (IEA) for employees who are not covered by the collective agreement is available at:

Primary principals’ collective and individual employment agreements

To read about the recent settlement, visit:

Circular 2026/04: Settlement of the Primary Principals' (NZEI) Collective

Any pātai, contact Te Whakarōpūtanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | NZ School Boards Association Advisory Support Centre.

Phone: 0800 782 435 

Email: [email protected]

Banking staffing final balance letters#

Banking staffing letters will be on the secure data portal (SDP) from 20 April.

Secure Data Portal – Applications and online systems

This letter advises whether you have a nil balance, underuse or overuse balance for the end of the year and provides next steps where necessary. For any overuse, the calculated recovery amount will be included in your July operational grant payment. Any reimbursements due for Kaupapa Māori and Māori medium education settings will be included in the July operational grant payment.

For more information, go to:

Managing staffing usage (banking staffing)

Governance, planning and infrastructure#

2025 annual financial reporting#

End-of-year supporting financial information is now available. Submit financial statements to your auditor before 31 March.

The following information is available on the SDP:

• a year-end confirmation letter
• a payroll error schedule for pay period 14 for 169 schools
• a payroll error schedule for pay period 21 for 68 schools.

Note a period 21 error schedule replaces a pay period 14 error schedule.

School annual accrual reports (SAAR) and leave liability reports are available in EdPay. We encourage you to work with your auditor to complete audits by 31 May.

Reminder: Spend your Property Maintenance Grant one-off top-up#

Property Maintenance Grant (PMG) top-up funding needs to be spent before the start of Term 2.

Property maintenance grant one-off top-up fund

When you have completed your maintenance projects, complete our survey here:

Property maintenance grant top-up follow-up – Survey Monkey

Your responses will be used to inform future initiatives. Any queries, contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Call for expressions of interest to self-manage property services#

We are looking to work with those who want to take greater responsibility for the planning and delivery of their property services and projects, through an expression of interest.

This work is part of our school property improvements. To find out more, and to submit an expression of interest (EOI), visit:

School property improvements

If you have questions, email us.

Email: [email protected]

Assistive technology application dates for Term 1#

Applications for Assistive Technology (AT) are due on the first Tuesday of each month, with the exception of December and January. For Term 1, these dates are 3 March and 7 April.

For more information on how to apply, contact your local assistive technology coordinator (ATC) at:

Who assistive technology is for

Ministry organisational update#

Our leadership structure has been updated as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the organisation and enhance service delivery. The new leadership structure took effect on 2 March. We do not anticipate any immediate changes to your key Ministry contact or how you work with us. More information can be found at:

Ministry organisational update

Upcoming surveys from Education Review Office#

School supports and interventions

The Education Review Office (ERO) is looking at the support and interventions currently available for schools. These short surveys are for all schools (whether they have received supports or interventions or not).

Sharing your experiences helps make sure ERO’s reporting and recommendations are as accurate as possible – please forward this link to leaders and teachers:

School supports and interventions survey – Education Review Office

AI in schools

ERO is also looking at how AI is currently being used (or not) by teachers, leaders, and students at school. This research will help inform policy, guidance and practice – access the surveys at:

AI in schools – Leader survey – Education Review Office

AI in schools – Teacher survey – Education Review Office

Kia Manawaroa education pānui#

Kia Manawaroa is our dedicated newsletter for whānau Māori – sharing opportunities, updates, and education information.

Kia Manawaroa Issue 12

Subscribe to Kia Manawaroa pānui – Mailchimp

For feedback or story ideas, email [email protected].

Matavai Pacific education e-newsletter#

Matavai is our monthly e-newsletter featuring the latest Pacific education updates, stories and upcoming events.

Matavai Issue 10 – Mailchimp

Subscribe to Matavai e-newsletter – Mailchimp

For feedback or story ideas, email [email protected].