Terms of Reference Supporting Resources Working Group
Background
The Ministry of Education is updating the national curriculum – The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o
Aotearoa – to make learning in Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories explicit. This update will provide a national
framework that ensures all learners are aware of key aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories, and the ways they
have influenced and shaped our nation.
A team of writers is developing the curriculum content in consultation with sector and expert groups. The resources
working group will support the teaching and learning of Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum.
Resources may include historical narratives that are levelled for particular year groups, and guidance for teachers
and leaders. To date, the Ministry has identified suitable resources that other government agencies hold, with the
focus now moving to Ministry of Education resources that will be adapted or developed in response to the draft NZC
curriculum content.
The purpose of the Aotearoa New Zealand's Histories supporting resources working group
The Supporting Resources Working Group will provide a broad range of capability, including academic and sector
expertise to inform the quality, design, development and promotion of resources to support the Aotearoa New
Zealand’s histories curriculum content.
Scope
The scope of the Supporting Resources Working Group is to:
- identify gaps in resource support and recommend how best to address these.
- provide advice on what resources are most valuable to the sector to support their deep understanding and implementation of the new Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum content
- provide quality assurance on resources through feedback processes
- where appropriate, contribute content to refine or improve resources.
Functions of the supporting resources working group
The Supporting Resources Working Group will bring:
- specific expertise to feed into and provide quality assurance on the resources, for example, academic and
sector viewpoints - broader perspectives and a range of voices that will feed into the thinking and advice to the Ministry.
Membership
Members of the Supporting Resources Working Group will represent the academic, teaching sector and community
members who have an interest in shaping how Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories are taught.
Fees
The Supporting Resources Working Group will be reimbursed for costs and paid for their time through individual
contracts with themselves or their employer. If travel and/or accommodation costs are necessary for face to face
meetings, these costs will be paid by the Ministry.
Secretariat
The Ministry will provide the secretariat role and will ensure there is appropriate support for the Supporting
Resources Working Group.
Meetings
Most of the meetings of the Supporting Resources Working Group will be online in the form of Zoom meetings. If a
face-to-face meeting is required, it will be held in Wellington.
We expect that following an initial zoom meeting, meetings will be held when there are new resources to review or
for planning and development.
Invitations to meetings will be circulated to members at least six working days in advance of each meeting, and draft
notes from the meeting will be circulated to Supporting Resources Working Group members no later than five
working days after each meeting.
Conflicts of interest
Members should avoid situations that might compromise their integrity or otherwise lead to conflicts of interest.
If a member becomes aware of an actual or potential conflict of interest, they will advise the Ministry of Education
immediately. For example, if a member is working for a company that bids / wins a contract to develop resources,
this would need to be declared and appropriate Ministry Conflicts of Interest processes would be put in place.
Confidentiality
The work of the Supporting Resources Working Group is confidential, unless otherwise agreed by the Ministry.
Members of the Supporting Resources Working Group will maintain this confidence and will not disclose information
about the operations of the Supporting Resources Working Group to any person without the above agreement.
Last reviewed: Has this been useful? Give us your feedback