On this page
What relationships and sexuality education is#
RSE focuses on how young people can:
- build confidence and self-awareness
- understand and respect others
- make informed decisions
- stay safe online and offline.
Why RSE is important#
RSE is vital for young people’s learning, development, and wellbeing. It helps them learn about themselves and others in safe, respectful, and age-appropriate ways. They develop understanding and respect for others’ choices and learn to think critically about relationships and sexuality. This gives them the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their lives.
What your child will learn#
RSE is not taught as a separate subject within the health and physical education learning area. Instead, it is integrated across the learning area through the following topics:
- friendships and relationships
- consent and boundaries
- puberty and body changes
- online safety and digital wellbeing
- respecting diversity and challenging stereotypes
- sex education and sexual health.
The curriculum outlines key knowledge and practices in a precise, year-by-year sequence. Each year builds on previous learning, reinforcing key ideas while introducing new, age-appropriate topics. For example, early learning about kindness and boundaries lays the groundwork for later learning about consent, emotional regulation, and respectful relationships.
This sequential approach helps students build confidence and knowledge gradually. It supports their physical and emotional development and prepares them for safe, meaningful interactions with others.
For an overview of the health and physical education learning area, see the year-by-year New Zealand Curriculum guides.
Supporting your child’s learning at home#
Talking about RSE at home with your child helps reinforce what they learn at school and strengthens their understanding of themselves and others. You may also choose to discuss these topics with your child at home first, before they are taught at school. When families and schools work together, students receive consistent messages about health and wellbeing and feel supported in their learning.
Community consultation#
School boards must consult with their communities at least once every 2 years about how health education, including RSE, is delivered. This is a legal requirement under Section 91 of the Education and Training Act 2020.
The purpose of community consultation is to:
- inform the community about the health curriculum
- understand community views, beliefs, and customs
- identify the health education needs of students.
The consultation process may include:
- meetings or school events
- surveys or email feedback
- input from whānau, iwi, and community members.
The information from the consultation supports schools as they design health education programmes that are aligned to the national curriculum. Following consultation, schools should share their health education plans with their communities.
If you have questions or concerns about RSE, we encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher or the school’s leaders.
Participation in RSE#
Under Section 51 of the Education and Training Act 2020, you may request that your child be removed from learning in the health curriculum that relates specifically to sexuality education.
The process for withdrawal is as follows:
- You must first make a written request to the school principal. The school will respond in writing.
- The principal then decides whether the request is related to sexuality education. If it is, they must ensure your child is released from the relevant lessons and provided with supervision during that time.
If a student asks a question related to sexuality education outside of formal health education lessons, the teacher may respond appropriately and does not need to remove any students from the classroom.
Mōhiohio anō
