NCEA and Curriculum Reform

The story so far

In January 2025, North Canterbury schools backed NCEA level 1 despite suggestions from Education Minister Erica Stanford that it be scrapped, and principals worried that new literacy and numeracy requirements could leave some students without qualifications.^{9, 16 Jan 2025} Provisional figures showed NCEA level 1 pass rates fell to 70% in 2024 from 82% in 2023, which the Qualifications Authority attributed to the new literacy and numeracy requirements.^{17 Jan 2025} In early August 2025 the Government proposed replacing NCEA with new qualifications, saying the system was hard to navigate and inconsistent and citing concerns about falling literacy and numeracy standards.^{4, 5 Aug 2025} Under the proposal NCEA Level 1 would be replaced by literacy and numeracy tests and Levels 2 and 3 by new certificates, with changes phased in from 2028.^{5, 6 Aug 2025} The plan drew opposition from Kura Kaupapa Māori, 89 principals, hospitality leaders and teachers, who raised concerns about timing, student choice, subjects and the loss of a Year 11 qualification.^{5, 28 Aug 2025; 3, 6 Oct 2025}

Latest

An analysis of over 8,000 submissions found four in five educators and industry submitters wanted NCEA tweaked rather than replaced. The PPTA said more students could fail under the new qualifications, and Labour announced it would set up an independent council for curriculum and assessment if elected.^{17 Sep}

Key moments

1. 17 Jan 2025NCEA level 1 pass rates fall to 70% from 82%.
2. 4 Aug 2025Government proposes abolishing NCEA after more than 20 years.
3. 5 Aug 2025Plan would replace Level 1 with literacy and numeracy tests, phased in from 2028.
4. 6 Aug 2025New senior secondary curriculum delayed after teachers warn changes are rushed.
5. 28 Aug 2025Eighty-nine principals urge the government to halt NCEA replacement plans.
6. 28 Oct 2025Government releases full draft curriculum for years 0 to 10 for consultation.
7. 29 Oct 2025Principals Federation and subject associations criticise draft curriculum, including its treatment of Māori knowledge.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.