For many of us, nothing matters more than knowing children will have the best possible start in life.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, business owners, and community leaders. Education is how we secure a safe, prosperous, and thriving New Zealand for generations to come.
That is why we are proposing changes to replace NCEA with a new national qualification system. It will be internationally benchmarked, easier to understand, and focused on the skills our young people need to succeed.
NCEA in its current form is inconsistent, difficult to navigate, and does not always deliver what students or employers need. This must change if we want every young New Zealander to reach their full potential.
Under our plan, NCEA Level 1 would be removed. This would allow Year 11 students to focus on literacy, numeracy, and preparing for their main qualifications in Years 12 and 13.
A new Foundational Skills Award would recognise core literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11, giving students a strong base to build on. The existing NCEA Levels 2 and 3 would be replaced with the New Zealand Certificate of Education in Year 12, and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education in Year 13.
Each subject would have internal and external assessments, adding up to 100 marks. These would be graded as A, B, C, or D, so parents, grandparents, and students know exactly how they are performing.
This means a move from a fragmented standards-based system to a simpler, subject-based approach.
English and Mathematics would be compulsory at Year 11, and students in Years 12 and 13 would take at least five subjects, passing a minimum of four to gain each certificate.
The new curriculum will begin to be introduced in 2026. The Foundational Skills Award will follow in 2028, with the new certificates introduced in 2029 and 2030. Consultation on the proposal is open until 15 September, with final decisions due by the end of the year.
Our Government is focused on lifting achievement, simplifying the system, and ensuring our young people have the skills and knowledge to succeed.
