Skip to main content
Ministry of Education New Zealand

The curriculum framework formalises the Government's expectations and guides all curricula and programmes across the early learning sector.

Te Whāriki#

He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa Early childhood curriculum (Te Whāriki) is Aotearoa New Zealand's national curriculum document for early learning services.

The prescribed curriculum framework for the early learning sector is in 3 parts:

  • Te Ara Whānui – the principles | ngā kaupapa whakahaere, strands, goals and learning outcomes | ngā taumata whakahirahira of Te Whāriki.
  • Te Ara Māori – a te ao Māori interpretation of the principles | ngā kaupapa whakahaere, strands, goals and learning outcomes I ngā taumata whakahirahira of Te Whãriki.
  • Te Whariki a te Kōhanga Reo – ngā kaupapa whakahaere | ngā taumata whakahirahira me Te Tauira Whāriki (Te Katoa o te Mokopuna) mō Te Kōhanga Reo.

Licensed services#

Licensed early learning services (except kōhanga reo) need to decide which pathway to implement:

  • Part A – Te Ara Whānui, or
  • Part B – Te Ara Māori.

They should not implement both.

Part C | Te Whāriki a te Kōhanga Reo is the pathway specifically for kōhanga reo. Their curriculum guidance is provided by Kōhanga Reo National Trust. They must also meet the curriculum standard set out in regulation 43 of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 and the associated licensing curriculum criteria for their service type.

You can find the licensing criteria on our website.

Licensing criteria for centre-based ECE services

Licensing criteria for home-based ECE services

Licensing criteria for hospital-based ECE services

Licensing criteria for kōhanga reo

Certificated playgroups#

Certificated playgroups need to decide which pathway to implement:

  • Part A – Te Ara Whānui, or
  • Part B – Te Ara Māori.

They should not implement both.

They must also meet the curriculum standard set out in regulation 18 of the Education (Playgroups) Regulations 2008 and the associated certification criteria for curriculum.

You can find the certification criteria on our website.

Certification criteria for playgroups

Mōhiohio anō

More information

More information on Te Whāriki is available on our curriculum website Tāhūrangi.

Te Whāriki – Tāhūrangi

THIS PAGE IS FOR
  • Education professionals