Government proposes replacing NCEA with new school qualifications

Tuesday 5 August 2025 · 5 outlets · 10 reports · updated Tue 5 Aug 2025, 1:37pm

In this story Christopher Luxon, Erica Stanford

The government has announced plans to end the NCEA system and replace it with new qualifications. Under the proposal, NCEA Level 1 would be replaced by literacy and numeracy tests, while Levels 2 and 3 would be replaced by new certificates. Changes are expected to be phased in from 2028.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZTue 5 Aug 2025, 7:56am

   Education Minister David Seymour says NCEA changes will challenge students more (opens in new tab)

   • Watch: AI will aid with NCEA replacement, Education Minister says (opens in new tab) Tue 5 Aug 2025, 12:49pm
2. NZ HeraldTue 5 Aug 2025, 8:12am

   Education Minister Erica Stanford says pupils sitting NCEA in final years not disadvantaged (opens in new tab)

   • Watch live: Education Minister Erica Stanford fronts press conference after mammoth NCEA announcement (opens in new tab) Tue 5 Aug 2025, 11:50am
3. 1News via RNZTue 5 Aug 2025, 8:43am

   Parents cautiously optimistic about waving goodbye to NCEA (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab), RNZ (opens in new tab)

   • Full video: Education Minister speaks to media about NCEA shake-up (opens in new tab) Tue 5 Aug 2025, 11:48am
   • AI will aid with NCEA replacement, Education Minister says (opens in new tab) Tue 5 Aug 2025, 1:25pm
4. Otago Daily TimesTue 5 Aug 2025, 1:07pm

   AI will aid with NCEA replacement - Stanford (opens in new tab)

5. Stuff via RNZTue 5 Aug 2025, 1:34pm

   AI will aid with NCEA replacement, Education Minister Erica Stanford says (opens in new tab)

   • How the ‘flexibility’ of NCEA was being gamed by students (opens in new tab) Tue 5 Aug 2025, 1:37pm