Kia ora koutou
As June draws to a close, we acknowledge the significant progress across kura and schools as updated curriculum, assessment, and teaching supports move into everyday practice.
This update brings together recent announcements, newly available resources, and key updates to support your planning and practice.
Below you’ll find key highlights and links to Tāhūrangi to help you focus on what matters most for ākonga.
Ngā mihi nui,
Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education
Key updates#
New industry-led subjects taking shape#
Work is underway to introduce new industry-led subjects into the senior secondary curriculum as part of the move to a new qualification system from 2028. These subjects will sit alongside existing subjects and have equal status, giving students more choice in how they learn.
The subjects are being designed with input from industry, educators, and employers. They will focus on building useful knowledge and practical skills linked to real-world sectors, while still supporting a range of pathways, including further study, training, and work.
An initial set of subjects is now being scoped, with design and consultation continuing through 2026 and 2027. Schools can expect flexible ways to deliver these subjects, with more guidance and support to come as details are confirmed.
Industry-led subjects taking shape – Tāhurangi
Updates to Tāhūrangi: NZC and TMoA#
Over the coming weeks, we’re making changes to the NZC and TMoA homepages on Tāhūrangi. The new page layouts have been designed based on your feedback and make it easier for you to find the resources you need.
We are also making further updates to the NZC homepage. Content that is currently listed under the Implementation Supports heading (for example, Curriculum Roadshow resources) will be moved to the Leadership Resources heading and organised under new headings.
If you have any questions or feedback about these changes, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Music and Taonga Pūoro kits to support the refreshed Arts curriculum#
Through Budget 2026, we will be providing fully funded Music and Taonga Pūoro Kits to eligible state and state-integrated schools and kura for Years 0 to 8. This is the first time dedicated funding for musical instruments has been nationally provided. The initiative will support delivery of the refreshed Arts and Toi Ihiihi curriculum.
Schools and kura will have the choice of Music or Tāonga Pūoro kits to complement their existing music resources. More information on scaling and distribution will be provided later in the year.
Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for Secondary Leaders resources available#
Earlier this month, we held the Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for Years 9 to 13 leaders across secondary, kura and area schools. It was great to connect with so many of you across five in-person events, bringing together expert speakers and practical sessions to build clarity and confidence for implementing upcoming curriculum, assessment and qualification changes.
As part of this, we developed a resource pack – providing a clear understanding of curriculum, assessment and qualification changes, real examples and actionable strategies, and implementation supports for leaders. You can access the pack on Tāhūrangi.
Have your say#
Consultation open on Years | Tau 11 to 13 subjects#
Consultation opened this month on the second group of subjects for the new Years | Tau 11 to 13 curriculum, with feedback open until 8 July.
Consultation on the third group of subjects opens on 6 July. We welcome feedback through to 3 August.
We acknowledge this consultation period begins at the start of the school break. While this may provide time for individual teachers to consider and prepare their feedback, we have extended the consultation period to allow for subject associations and departments to meet and provide feedback at the start of Term 3.
We greatly appreciate everyone who takes the time to share their views. Your feedback is a critical part of shaping a strong and inclusive curriculum for all learners.
Consultation on second groups of Years | Tau 11 to 13 subjects
Supports and resources#
Available now: Writing Acceleration Supports#
New writing acceleration resources and videos are now available for Years 0 to 5. We have developed writing modules and resources to support the acceleration of student skills in writing, to be used by Structured Literacy Approaches teachers, classroom teachers and other classroom support staff with small groups of students in Years 0 to 5, learning through the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). An online writing tool for Years 6 to 10 is already available.
The resources, including lesson plans for each year group across a range of writing elements, teacher guidance, supporting videos, are available on Tāhūrangi.
Writing Acceleration Supports – Tāhūrangi
Registrations open: Structured literacy approaches (SLA) PLD#
A range of Ministry-funded structured literacy approaches (SLA) PLD opportunities are currently open, providing targeted support for teachers and kaiako across different year levels and roles.
- For one Year 7–10 literacy teacher per eligible school (full primary, intermediate, area, composite, or secondary), focused on strengthening structured literacy approaches in writing. Enrolments close 10 July.
Years 7–10 SLA (focus on writing)
- For teachers in schools receiving SLA staffing entitlement, supporting those in literacy specialist/intervention roles to deliver targeted teaching and intervention. Enrolments close 10 July.
Targeted SLA PLD (Years 0–6 staffing entitlement)
- Final 2026 opportunity for eligible teachers to build foundational capability in structured literacy approaches. Priority will be given to those who have not yet accessed SLA or Rangaranga Reo ā‑Ta PLD, with places allocated based on greatest need.
Foundational SLA PLD (Cohort 9)
Together, these opportunities provide flexible, targeted support to build capability across the system, from foundational practice through to specialist intervention.
Coming soon: 12 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.
Updated resources: 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.
Assessment, reporting and insights#
Help to build SMART: Register for the Term 3 trials#
We’ve had strong engagement with the first SMART assessment window, with over 303,000 students registered. An upcoming opportunity is now available for you to shape how SMART supports assessment and aromatawai by participating in Term 3 trials.
These trials will help build the bank of items available for SMART assessments and ensure these work well for all learners. SMART is built from the curriculum up, and the more diverse the group of students involved, the more meaningful the information we gain to improve the tool.
We’re asking those interested to sign up by emailing us.
Email: [email protected]
NZCER updates#
NZCER launches paper-based standardised writing test for Years 3 and 4#
NZCER is pleased to announce PAT Tuhituhi Te Pihinga – a standardised, paper-based writing assessment for Years 3 and 4.
In this assessment, ākonga write a text for one of four curriculum-aligned tasks – to persuade, narrate, recount, or explain. The written text is uploaded to NZCER Assist and then manually marked by kaiako using a new rubric adapted from the original PAT Tuhituhi.
PAT Tuhituhi Te Pihinga will be free for schools to use until the end of Term 3, 2026. Contact us for more information.
Email: [email protected]
