Important actions | Me Mātua Mahi#

• Schools that employ non-teaching guidance counsellors will need to move NZEI Te Riu Roa and E Tū members on to the SSSCA

Change of coverage for non-teaching guidance counsellors

• School planning and reporting actions by 31 March and 31 May

School planning and reporting reminder

Need-to-know | Me Mātua Mōhio#

Fuel Response Plan update#

Yesterday, the Government announced changes to New Zealand’s Fuel Response Plan (FRP), following extensive consultation with key stakeholders.

What’s changed

Fuel prioritisation will only be considered if New Zealand moves to Phase 4 of the FRP. In Phase 4, those categorised as critical users will have priority and uncapped access to fuel. Schools are considered critical users.

Details of the updated Fuel Response Plan phase descriptions and priority groupings are available on the Government’s media release.

Flexibility, adaptability key to Fuel Response Plan – Beehive.govt.nz

We are still in Phase 1, which means schools will keep operating as usual. There’s no change to children attending school, staff teaching onsite and using transport to get to and from schools.

Global Canvas cyber security breach#

Some educational institutions using the Canvas learning management system would have received a notification from Instructure about a breach of their platform.

We are working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to coordinate a response and guidance for those affected. Network for Learning (N4L) has contacted a handful of schools that have so far been confirmed to be using Canvas, and we have shared NCSC guidance and advice with them.

Canvas Free-For-Teacher account

Instructure has since advised that the breach has also affected those who use their Free-For-Teacher account.

Security incident update – Instructure

It is possible that some staff may have individually signed up for this free account and are using it to deliver lessons. This facility has now been disabled by Canvas and there is no information available about when it will be re-enabled.

Further information and actions

For more details about the breach and guidance, visit:

Canvas data breach affecting some learning institutions – National Cyber Security Centre 

Protect your personal information – Office of the Privacy Commissioner 

This is a timely reminder to check if your school has an up-to-date cyber security policy, and your IT systems are as secure as they can be:

Creating a cyber security policy

Choosing safer technologies for schools and kura

Change of coverage for non-teaching guidance counsellors#

Non-teaching guidance counsellors are now covered by the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement (SSSCA). This change will be implemented on 23 June.

This does not apply to teaching guidance counsellors who hold a Teaching Council certification or a limited authority to teach.

Those schools that employ non-teaching guidance counsellors will need to move NZEI Te Riu Roa and E Tū members on to the SSSCA. Non-union members should be offered the Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) published 15 April and placed onto the appropriate designation code.

Guidance, including actions required by employers, can be found at:

Who is covered by the collective agreement

School planning and reporting reminder#

A reminder that by 31 March, you were required to:

• publish your 2026 annual implementation plan on your website
• send your 2025 annual financial statements to your school auditor.

Complete the above as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

By 31 May:

• submit your 2025 annual report (including audited financial statements) to us using the School Planning and Reporting Application.

School Planning and Reporting Application Login

You also need to publish your 2025 annual report on your website.

More information about annual reports is available at:

School annual reports

Heads-up | He Kupu Puaki#

Absence response activity reporting – Upcoming Student Management System webinars#

From Term 1 this year, you should have been recording in your Student Management System (SMS) any response activities undertaken when a student reaches 5, 10, or 15 days absent in a term. SMS vendors have developed new functionality for this, enabling alerts when students reach thresholds, and consistent recording of responses:

Recording response activities at AMP thresholds [PDF, 336 KB]

In partnership with SMS vendors, we will be running system-specific webinars to demonstrate how the threshold alerts work, how to correctly record absence response activities in your SMS so that the information can be shared with us, as required, and addressing common questions related to this functionality.

Webinars will be held in late May and early June. You will receive an email invitation to attend a webinar specific to your SMS. Each webinar will be recorded and available afterwards through your SMS provider, so you can revisit the guidance at any time.

Reminder: Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for leaders#

A reminder that registrations are open for the Term 2 Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow.

Designed specifically for Years 9 to 13 secondary, kura and area school leaders, the June Roadshow provides clarity, tools, and practical guidance to confidently lead upcoming curriculum, assessment, and qualification changes. Each session includes expert speakers, real school examples and clarity on implementation timelines.

Secure your spot here:

Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for Leaders – MoE Events

Reporting to parents and whānau webinars#

Enrolments for NZC reporting to parents and whānau webinars are now open. These webinars will run from 7 May to 21 May and provide information about the recent changes to reporting to parents and whānau.

There are three webinars:

• Teacher session 1 – what’s changing and what to expect in 2026, reporting essentials, and reporting Common Components.
• Teacher session 2 – reporting essentials and making an informed decision, including using the reporting rubrics.
• School leader session – reporting essentials, reporting moderation, interacting with parents and whānau, and school boards.

The webinars can be accessed via the Education Learning Management System by logging in and searching ‘reporting to parents and whānau’ in the catalogue.

Education Learning Management System – New Zealand Government

Expression of interest for upcoming in-person PLD workshops#

To support the effective delivery of in-person PLD workshops, we are inviting expressions of interest from teachers. This process enables participants to indicate their preferred locations for upcoming workshops.

Teachers are encouraged to submit their expression of interest via:

PLD workshops EOI – MoE events

Please note that completing the form will take 45–60 seconds.

For further enquiries, email [email protected].

Online writing acceleration tool Years 6 to 10 applications still open#

More than 450 schools have registered to use Scribo, the online writing acceleration tool. This accelerated support is for students from Years 6 to 10 who are not yet meeting curriculum expectations in writing. Students engage in the programme, with a teacher, to strengthen their writing skills.

You can still apply to be part of the programme via Salesforce, providing an indication of the numbers of students and teachers likely to access the tool. Applications for cohort 2 close on 5 June.

Find out more on Tāhūrangi:

Writing Acceleration Supports – Tāhūrangi

Ministry-funded Maths resources update#

We’ve completed our procurement process to secure suppliers of Ministry-funded Maths resources for Years 0 to 8, for the 2027 school year. Suppliers for the 2026 school year remain unchanged.

The first ordering window for the 2027 resources is from 2 to 22 June. More information about suppliers and ordering resources is available on Tāhūrangi:

Ordering Ministry-funded Maths resources – Tāhūrangi

Rauemi for kura – Term 2#

Kura will receive new curriculum aligned rauemi later this term, to support learning across Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau wāhanga ako.

• Te Reo Rangatira (Tau 4 to 8): We will distribute the remaining 45 Te Tautoko texts, completing the full set of 51 texts that accompany Ngā Āhuatanga Reo He Puka Aratohu – Linguistic Items Handbook. These support explicit instruction in reading, writing, and oral language.
• Te Reo Rangatira (Tau 9 to 10 | Wharekura): A second set of Te Reo Rangatira Wharekura texts, all in te reo Māori and across a range of genres. Teacher Support Materials will become available later in the year. 
• Pāngarau (Tau 1 to 3 and beyond): A one off distribution of Te Toa me ngā Papariki Toa and additional Pāngarau products to support Pāngarau wāhanga ako and Poutama Pāngarau, alongside updated Hei Tautoko i te Marautanga Pāngarau rauemi.

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Term 2 PLD overview#

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Term 2 PLD overview provides a snapshot of the professional learning and development opportunities available this term, including delivery timeframes and focus areas.

These are designed to support kaiako with curriculum-aligned learning. We encourage you to review this to see what’s available to support your planning at:

PLD – Tāhūrangi

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa curriculum overview products coming soon#

Kaiako and tumuaki will have new support products to understand the updated curriculum and explore how it can be used later in May (in addition to Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau, which are already available). These will include:

• wāhanga ako banners to give a clear overview of curriculum structure and progression
• professional learning activities to support shared kōrero and sense-making in kura.

Together, these resources support kaiako and teaching staff to build shared understanding and confidence as they engage with the redesigned curriculum.

Ngā Hua Whakatinana Marautanga – Tāhūrangi

More wāhanga ako learning kits coming for Tau 9 and 10#

The wāhanga ako learning kits are designed to show what the refreshed curriculum can look like in classroom practice. They provide examples and entry points that kaiako can explore, adapt, and build from. Each kit includes:

• teacher guidance
• unit and lesson plans
• classroom activities.

The Pāngarau learning kit is expected later this term, with learning kits for other wāhanga ako to follow in Term 3.

Explore existing Te Marautanga o Aotearoa resources – Tāhūrangi

Term 4 2025 curriculum data snapshot released#

The snapshot provides a point-in-time view of national curriculum and assessment data and feedback. These are designed to give you confidence in using national data to support local planning and professional conversations. Each snapshot includes actions we are taking in response to your feedback.

Explore the latest snapshot here:

Making sense of curriculum data snapshots – Tāhūrangi

Space-themed design competition for Years 1 to 8#

The New Zealand Space Agency is marking 10 years with Patch to the Future: a national design competition for Year 1 to 8 students.

The competition can be a short classroom activity, extension task, or fast finisher, and all the resources are ready to go. Entries close 5 June.

Resources and information are available here:

10 years of New Zealand’s Space Agency – Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Flu vaccines information#

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over six months old especially, as we approach the winter season, and is free for those at higher risk. You can check eligibility for a free flu vaccine at:

The 2026 flu vaccine is free for some people – Health NZ

Ask your vaccinator to check that you’re up to date with all your vaccinations.

Book a vaccine by calling 0800 28 2926 Monday to Friday or visiting:

Book My Vaccine – Vaccine Scheduling

You may wish to display posters and leaflets about this at your school:

Flu resources – Health NZ

New alternate formats and translations – Learning support factsheets#

Our ‘in-school learning support coordinators factsheet’ for parents, caregivers, whānau and families is now available in:

• te reo Māori
• 5 Pacific languages – Gagana Samoa, Te Reo Māori Kūki ʻAirani, Vagahau Niue, Lea Faka Tonga, Gagana Tokelau
• alternate formats – New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), Braille, audio, large print and Easy Read.

The factsheet explains how learning support coordinators (LSC) support learners to get the right help earlier and help families access learning support at school. All resources are on our website:

Learning support resources for parents

Register for Learning Support Coordinator Conference 10 June#

Learning support coordinators (LSCs) across the motu are invited to a one-day online conference on 10 June. Featuring inspiring speakers and workshops, it’s designed to help grow LSC capability and confidence in their role. There is no cost to attend.

Register now if you’re an in-school or cluster-based LSC or LSC working in a Kaupapa Māori or Māori medium setting. Schools receiving their LSC entitlement in 2027 and 2028, principals and others working in learning support, such as SENCOs and RTLBs are also welcome.

If the conference is oversubscribed, priority will be given to currently employed LSCs. Read the programme and register at:

Learning Support Coordinator Conference

Secondary and Area School Principal Collective Agreement variations#

Following the settlements of the Secondary and Area School Principal Collective Agreements, variations have been agreed and published.

You can access the collective agreements at:

Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement 2025–2028 [PDF, 620 KB]

Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement 2025–2028 [PDF, 691 KB]

The variations maintain current dismissal protections for principals, even when they are earning above $200,000 per annum, for the term of the agreements.

Any pātai, contact Te Whakarōpūtanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | NZ School Boards Association Advisory Support Centre on 0800 782 435 or email [email protected].

Updated eligibility criteria for assistive technology#

Updated eligibility criteria for assistive technology (AT) align with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and the introduction of the expanded NZC.

What’s changed:

• includes learners working within the expanded NZC
• the Expanded Early Intervention Service (EIS) is included for Year 0 to 1 learners
• improved clarity and confirming the inclusion of charter schools.

What hasn’t:

• AT remains a targeted fund for learners whose needs cannot be met with usual classroom supports
• eligibility settings and funding thresholds.

Continue to work with learning support teams and contact your local assistive technology coordinator for advice.

Assistive technology contacts

Ngā Haeata o Aotearoa 2024: A Māori Education Indicators Report released#

This report provides a snapshot of how the education system is performing for Māori learners and Māori language in education. It spans early learning, primary, secondary schooling and tertiary across English-medium education, Māori-medium and Kaupapa Māori education. Māori students experience a wide range of outcomes in the education system with many ākonga in English-medium education continuing to experience inequitable outcomes.

It includes Kaupapa Māori education data showing that students in these settings experience more positive educational outcomes at secondary school.

Read more about the report here:

Ngā Haeata o Aotearoa 2024: A Māori Education Indicators Report – Education Counts

Requirements for private schools – Suspensions or expulsions#

A reminder of the requirements set out in Schedule 7 clause 16 of the Education and Training Act 2020 for all registered private schools. The Act outlines the steps to take when a student is faced with suspension or expulsion.

Clause 16: Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Government

If a student is suspended or expelled, all private schools must immediately notify us by completing the PSS1 form:

PSS1: Advice of suspension and/or expulsion from a private school [DOCX, 145 KB]

You should make efforts to have the student back to school or re-enrolled at another school in reasonable time. You should complete the PSS2 form to notify us of placement outcomes and if assistance is required for the student.

PSS2: Advice of suspension and/or expulsion from a private school [DOCX, 101 KB]

Any pātai, contact your local Ministry office.