Labour proposes independent body to oversee school curriculum and assessment
Thursday 17 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Ginny Andersen
The Labour Party has announced plans to establish an Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment (ICCA) if elected. Education spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the body would provide expert leadership to ensure stability in the curriculum and assessment system across different governments.
Key facts
4 facts
- Labour proposes the Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment (ICCA)
- The ICCA would cost $500,000 per year
- Labour intends to pause unimplemented curriculum changes for one year
- The current Government plans to replace NCEA with NZCE and NZACE
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Labour Party has announced a policy to establish an independent body called the Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment (ICCA). This council would provide expert leadership for New Zealand's curriculum and assessment system to prevent sudden changes when governments change. Ginny Andersen stated the council would "provide expert leadership of New Zealand’s curriculum and assessment system".
If elected, Labour intends to form an interim expert group within three months to offer immediate advice. The party would pause the rollout of any unimplemented curriculum changes made by the current Government for one year. However, existing work regarding English and maths would continue with support for schools.
Labour's plan involves keeping the current NCEA system unchanged until 2029 to allow for the ICCA's advice to be considered. The cost to establish and operate the ICCA would be $500,000 annually, funded by reprioritising existing baseline education funding.
The current Government is working to replace NCEA with the New Zealand Certificate of Education and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education. Under those plans, students would study at least five subjects in Years 12 and 13.
Where reports differ
- One report identifies the proposed body as the Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment, while the other refers to it generally as a new independent education body
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and 1News.