The Government is ramping up efforts to improve educational outcomes for Kiwi kids, aiming to close the equity gap and ensure all students have the skills they need for future success.

Education Minister Erica Stanford shared these ambitious changes as the new term began, outlining key measures designed to boost learning across the country.

As schools kicked off Term 2, students can expect:

• A ban on cell phone use in schools to help students focus on their learning.
• An hour a day dedicated to reading, writing, and maths for primary and intermediate students.
• A new, world-class curriculum that will be taught consistently from Year 1 to Year 13, starting with English and maths.
• Over 836,000 resources to support the new maths curriculum.
• Mandated teaching of phonics and structured literacy to give every child the best start in reading.
• Phonics checks for students at 20 and 40 weeks to track progress.
• $3.2 million over 2025/2026 to support tier 2 teachers for extra literacy help in 962 schools.
• $3 million to provide 3,000 Year 7-8 students with 12 weeks of intensive maths tutoring.
• Professional development for over 20,000 teachers in structured literacy and maths.
• NCEA co-requisite literacy and numeracy support for 9,100 students.

Minister Stanford is keen to measure the success of these changes, with the Education Review Office (ERO) tasked with monitoring progress.

Early results are promising, with ERO’s findings showing a positive shift in teacher practices, student engagement, and literacy improvements.

“Two-thirds of teachers report significant changes to their teaching methods, with many noting the impact on student engagement and literacy,” Ms Stanford said.

The Government’s support extends to Māori-medium education, with the same reforms being implemented across both English and te reo Māori education systems, ensuring all students, regardless of location, have the same opportunities to succeed.

On the physical side of education, the Government is committed to ensuring Kiwi kids learn in safe, warm, and modern classrooms.

Over the past year, school property delivery has seen significant improvements, including a 35% increase in standardised classroom designs.

This has resulted in a 28% reduction in the price per classroom and the construction of 137 additional classrooms in 2024 compared to 2023.

“By streamlining the building process, we’ve freed up $100 million to build new schools and classrooms in areas with growing populations,” Ms Stanford added.

She praised the dedication of New Zealand’s educators, thanking principals, teachers, and support staff for their efforts in driving this transformation.

With these reforms, the Government aims to equip every child with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in life.

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