The new subject‑based qualifications are designed to be easier to understand, credible and similar to those used in other countries. 

They will be aligned with the refreshed senior secondary curriculum that is being finalised this year and rolled out progressively across schools and kura from 2028.

New qualifications framework#

From 2028, NCEA will be replaced with 2 new national qualifications:

• New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) for Year 12
• New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) for Year 13

A new foundational qualification will also be introduced for Year 11 from 2028. It will focus on reading, writing and maths.

Timeline#

NZCE will roll out in 2029, followed by NZACE in 2030. This staged approach will give teachers and school leaders time to become familiar with the updated curriculum and qualifications before they are fully put into action.

Development and consultation#

The design of the new qualifications have been developed with input from teachers, school leaders and assessment experts. Feedback from the 2025 public consultation has also informed the design.