Kia ora koutou,
On 28 May, Budget 2026 was announced. Details of the education package are available here:
The package totals $2.1 billion over the next 4 years. This year’s investments are focused on progressing the new secondary curriculum, with funding for more resources and teacher professional training and development. There is also a focus on strengthening vocational education and training. The Budget also builds on work already underway to help more learners develop the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed.
We will continue to share details and updates about these initiatives through the Bulletin and our website.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for Leaders events in Dunedin, Christchurch and Tauranga. Events in Wellington and Auckland are taking place this week.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Ellen
Important Actions | Me Mātua Mahi#
- Provide feedback on the new Years | Tau 11 to 13 curriculum subjects.
Consultation on Years | Tau 11 to 13 curriculum subjects
- Order Ministry-funded Maths resources by 22 June.
Need-To-Know | Me Mātua Mōhio#
Consultation on Years | Tau 11 to 13 curriculum subjects#
We are welcoming feedback on subjects in the new Years | Tau 11–13 curriculum. Find out more about the consultation and how you can give your feedback here:
Consultation open on first group of Years | Tau 11–13 curriculum subjects – Tāhūrangi
The new national curriculum is being developed in collaboration with more than 300 teachers, kaiako and education leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand, with input from subject associations.
Ordering window for 2027 Ministry-funded Maths resources#
The first ordering window for the 2027 Ministry-funded Maths resources is from 2 to 22 June.
Read more information about suppliers, or order, here:
2027 Ministry-funded Maths resource suppliers for Years 0 to 8 confirmed – Tāhūrangi
Heads-up | He Kupu Puaki#
Attendance referrals#
We encourage referrals for chronically absent students to be made as early in the term as possible, so we can connect students and whānau with the right support in a timely way.
The Attendance Service works best when you and providers can plan and respond early together. Referrals made late in the term, especially in the final weeks, can be harder to progress before the holiday period. Planning ahead helps with a smoother access to support and better outcomes for learners.
Your proactive approach and support makes a difference to ensure continuity of service. Any pātai, email [email protected].
Te Poutama Tau and Hei Tautoko i te Marautanga Pāngarau pukapuka#
Two Pāngarau pukapuka – Hei Tautoko i te Marautanga Pāngarau and Poutama Tau – have been refreshed to align with the changes in the Pāngarau wāhanga ako within Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
The refreshed resources provide further support for kaiako teaching pāngarau in Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori education settings, enhancing teaching and learning outcomes for mokopuna learning in and through te reo Māori.
Kura and Māori-medium settings can expect to receive hardcopies of Hei Tautoko i te Marautanga Pāngarau before the end of Term 2. See it online at:
Hei Tautoko i te Marautanga Pāngarau – Tāhūrangi
Changes were made to Te Poutama Tau online and can be accessed here:
Structured literacy approaches PLD Cohort 9: Registration open 10 June#
Registration for Cohort 9 open on 10 June, providing a final opportunity in 2026 for eligible teachers to access foundational structured literacy approaches (SLA) PLD.
The final 2026 cohort will prioritise those who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in SLA or Rangaranga Reo ā-Ta PLD, with places allocated based on greatest need.
From 2027, SLA PLD will shift to a more focused model, with limited places each year. Further detail about future cohorts and eligibility is available at:
PLD for structured literacy and te reo matatini approaches – Professional Learning and Development
Curriculum Leadership PLD online resources (self-directed)#
New self-directed PLD resources are available to support the implementation of curriculum changes. A curriculum leadership podcast series is also being released weekly (English medium on Tuesdays, Māori medium on Thursdays) via the Principals of Aotearoa New Zealand podcast.
For Māori-medium resources, access the materials and podcast here:
Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for Māori Medium – Tāhūrangi
For English-medium resources, access the materials and podcast here:
Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium – Tāhūrangi
Twelve new journals for Te Reo Rangatira Tau 7 to 8#
Twelve new journals for Te Reo Rangatira Tau 7 to 8 are on the way, accompanied by teacher support materials (TSM). Each journal weaves together cultural, historical, and conceptual knowledge that reflects Mātauranga Māori.
The journals have been designed to progress mokopuna from learning to read to reading to learn, and to support mokopuna to build strong reo Māori.
Hardcopies of the new journals will arrive in kura and schools with Māori-medium settings in Term 3.
Assessment and English PLD Years 9 to 10 registration#
Registration is now open for a range of locations throughout Term 2. In addition, an expression of interest (EOI) form is available to capture regional interest and assist with workshop allocation for Term 3. Register here:
Professional Learning and Development (PLD) Workshops and Webinars 2026 – MOE Events
Kōtui Ako VLN Primary Programmes registration for Term 3 and 4#
Extend curriculum choice for your learners with online programmes taught by experienced New Zealand registered teachers. Registrations close 22 June. Semester 2 classes start 20 July.
Healthy School Lunches in 2027#
On 15 May, Associate Education Minister David Seymour confirmed the Healthy School Lunches programme will continue in 2027.
The same number of students that received lunches this year will continue to get them next year.
Budget 2026 includes funding to explore innovative approaches to reach children and young people experiencing food insecurity, no matter what school they attend. Selected approaches may be piloted as part of assessing their viability.
You can read more here:
Gateway assessment education profile update#
Gateway assessments support tamariki in entering, or at risk of entering, Oranga Tamariki care by ensuring timely, coordinated responses to their health, education and wellbeing needs.
The redesigned Gateway education profile provides clarity, consistency, and cultural responsiveness, and strengthens the visibility of ākonga | student and whānau voice. A key update is the introduction of regional Ministry of Education contacts to support the completion of early childhood education and non-enrolled profiles.
The updated profile and process will take effect from 14 June. School leaders and teachers play a critical role in completing education profiles, with RTLB support for enrolled learners.
To find out about Gateway assessments, visit:
Gateway assessments – Oranga Tamariki
Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement settlement#
A Circular is available about the recently ratified Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement 2026–2028 (ASTCA), effective from 25 March for 26 months. This collective agreement covers teachers in area schools who are members of either the NZEI Te Riu Roa or the PPTA Te Wehengarua.
A new individual employment agreement for employees who are not covered by the collective agreement has been published. Teachers who are not union members will need to sign the new agreement to access the improved pay rates and conditions.
Any pātai, contact Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | NZ School Boards Association Advisory Support Centre.
Phone: 0800 782 435
Email: [email protected]
School Onsite Training Programme#
In our Special Bulletin sent on 28 May, we mentioned the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP). We said additional places were being added to the programme. That was inaccurate.
The change to SOTP is in fact a 4% increase in tertiary fee subsidies, as referenced in other Budget material. We apologise for any confusion.
School staff standing for election#
A circular has been published providing guidance for school boards and school leaders on employment matters if they have employees who are standing in this year’s General Election.
Any pātai, contact Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | NZ School Boards Association Advisory Support Centre.
Phone: 0800 782 435
Email: [email protected]
2027 sabbaticals#
Applications for the 2027 round of sabbaticals for teachers and principals are open and will close on 30 June. For more information, your eligibility and to apply, visit:
Sabbaticals, study awards and study grants – Education Workforce
Any pātai, email us.
Email: [email protected]
Information about school board objectives#
More information is now available about the changes made to the school board objectives set out in section 127 of the Education and Training Act 2020. These changes took effect in November 2025.
