Changes that have been made#

The changes include a new requirement for school boards to set a minimum of 3 strategic goals. At least 1 of these must be focused on educational achievement in 1 or more of: 

• reading
• writing
• mathematics
• pānui
• tuhituhi, and/or 
• pāngarau. 

School boards will still have the flexibility to set other strategic goals and will continue to be required to develop these in consultation with their school community. Most school boards already use achievement data to inform planning and reporting.

Education (School Planning and Reporting) Amendment Regulations 2026 – New Zealand Legislation

What requirement has been removed#

In their strategic plans, school boards are not required to include the information on the link between their strategic goals and any relevant national education strategies. This includes Ka Hikitia, the Action Plan for Pacific Education, and the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan. 

Schools and kura can continue to use these, and other relevant national education strategies, for developing their strategic plans. The changes do not affect school boards' obligations to identify and support the needs of Māori students, Pacific students, and learners who need additional support.

Support for boards#

Working alongside the New Zealand Schools Boards Association through their GovHub website, we will continue to support boards as they prepare their next strategic plans. The plans must be in place from 1 January 2027 and submitted to us by 1 March 2027.

Te Whakarōpūtanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa - NZ School Boards Association – GovHub Services