Education sector backlash against Government’s curriculum reforms intensifies
The education sector is demanding that the Government pause the rollout of its rushed curriculum reforms as opposition to the direction, scope, and pace of change continues to swell.
A joint statement to the Minister of Education opposing the rushed and poorly designed changes has seen a surge in support, with more educators and peak bodies calling for an immediate pause.
Originally issued on 24 March following a hui organised by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) and NZEI Te Riu Roa, the statement – published today in major newspapers nationwide – has been endorsed by a breadth of educators, peak bodies, and subject associations, signaling a unified front against the changes.
Education leaders oppose the changes due to their frantic pace, flawed direction, and a lack of genuine consultation. They warn that pushing ahead without sector buy-in risks failing the very students the changes are intended to support.
“As they stand, the current draft curriculum documents and frameworks are not fit for purpose and do not meet the Ministry of Education’s own stated standards,” the educators said in the statement.
The statement said the changes do not honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and have been “driven by the narrow, ideological interests of a small group.”
“The sector has not been adequately resourced, nor has it been given enough time, to consider or implement the expected change,” the educators added.
NZPF President Jason Miles said proposals as significant as these curriculum reforms need to be made thoughtfully, not urgently, and must involve the professionals implementing them.
“We’re continually frustrated by the Education Minister’s misplaced enthusiasm while the sector is reeling. Despite the extremely limited timeframe to review the curriculum packages, we have coordinated feedback from sector leaders to accurately represent the views and needs of principals and tumuaki across New Zealand.
“It’s now time for the Minister to do her part by listening to and acting on our shared concerns,” Mr Miles said.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels described the Government’s sweeping curriculum changes as a reckless departure from evidence-based learning that will leave both teachers and tamariki behind.
“Educators are being told to implement a total curriculum overhaul at a breakneck pace and with minimal support, which is a recipe for failure,” Mrs Lessels said.
“If the Minister truly cares about improving the educational outcomes for our tamariki, she will pause these changes and bring the profession into the room to design a curriculum that actually works.”
List of educators, peak bodies, and subject associations who signed the joint statement:
Jason Miles, President, New Zealand Principals’ Federation
Ripeka Lessels, Te Manukura | President, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Neke Adams, Te Tai Tokerau Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Kim Alexander, President, Selwyn Principals’ Association
Professor Vivienne Anderson, Dean, College of Education, University of Otago
Frances Arapere, Te Haunui Central Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Amanda Bennett, President, Waitākere Area Principals’ Association
Kaz Bissett, President, South Otago Principals’ Association
Kim Blackwood, President, Otago Primary Principals’ Association
Russell Burt, Chairman, Tāmaki Community Development Trust
Yvonne Catherwood, President, Buller Principals’ Association
Rachel Chater, President, Kawerau Principals’ Association
Bridget Chilton, Te Rāngai Matanga Kaiwhakaako, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Nikki Clarke, Member, Canterbury Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools
Dr Claire Coleman, Aotearoa Educators Collective
Simon Craggs, President, Papakura Principals’ Association
Glenn Davies, Northern Wairoa President, Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association
Anna Davis, Area Council Chair, Waitaha, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Thomas Davison, President, Te Manihi Tumuaki, Northland Secondary School Principals’ Association
Stu Devenport, Lower Hutt Cluster President, Wellington Regional Primary Principals’ Association
Mandy Dodds, President, West Coast Principals’ Association
Dr Therese Ford, National Coordinator, Te Akapūmau
Vaughan Franklin, North Hamilton Cluster President, Waikato Principals’ Association
Sally Griffin and Cassie Katene, Co-convenors, Te Ope Kohungahunga (Early Childhood National Leadership Group), NZEI Te Riu Roa
Maia Hall, Auckland Women’s Centre
Mark Harris, President, Gisborne Principals’ Association
Celeste Hawkins, Support Staff National Caucus Kaiawhina Tautoko, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Martin Hett, President, Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association
Dr Paul Heyward, Professional Teaching Fellow, Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand
Hamish Hislop, Co-President, Whiria New Plymouth Principals’ Association
Sam Hocking, Co-President, Hawke’s Bay Principals’ Association
Sophie Hoskins, on behalf of Fiona McDonald, Education Outdoors New Zealand
Antoinette Hudson, Co-chair, Waikato Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Ben Hutchings, President, Mangere Principals’ Association
Associate Professor Naomi Ingram, University of Otago and member of Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand
Bert Iosia, President, New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association
Bruce Jepsen, Te Manukura, Te Akatea
Jason Johnson, Special Education National Reference Group
Jude Karaitiana, Co-chair, Central East Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Rachael Kavermann and Zac Markham, Co-convenors, Ngā Aukaha, NZEI Te Riu Roa National Leadership Group
Dave Lamont, President, Taita-Stokes Valley Kāhui Ako
Andrew Leverton, President, Mid-Canterbury Principals’ Association
Robyn Lose, Chair, Bay of Plenty/Te Rohe o Te Waiariki Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Maree Lucas, President, North Canterbury Principals’ Association
Annmaree MacGregor, President, Whangārei Principals’ Association
Stephanie Madden, Chair, NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals’ Council
Associate Professor Dr Richard Manning, University of Canterbury
Maiana McCurdy, Chair, North Shore-Hibiscus Rōpū, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Donna McDonald, Co-President, Mana Primary Principals’ Association
Heemi McDonald, Physical Education New Zealand
Malcolm Milner, Eden-Albert Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
Jan Monds, Convenor, Support Staff National Caucus Kaiawhina Tautoko, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Brendon Morrissey, President, Te Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association
Glenys Murphy, Te Haunui Central Area Council
Lucy Naylor, President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
Chris North, Education Outdoors New Zealand
Zara and Debbie North, Counties Manukau Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Amanda O’Brien, Interim President, South Canterbury Principals’ Association
Gary O’Brien, President, North Shore Principals’ Association
Saane Faaofo Oldehaver, President, Manurewa Principals’ Association
Craig Pentecost, President, Western Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association
Alicia Poroa, Megan Collins, and Maria Perreau, Aotearoa Social Studies Educators’ Network
Shirley Porteous, President, Wellington Regional Primary Principals’ Association
Mark Potter, Founding member, Education for All
Dr Matiu Ratima, Senior Lecturer, Mātauraka Māori, College of Education, University of Otago
Nick Raynor, President, Hieke Nelson Principals’ Association
Lisa Dillon-Roberts, President, Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association
Matt Sides, Hibiscus Coast Principals’ Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
Marama Stewart, President, Eastern Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association
Lynda Stuart, Aotearoa Educators Collective
Maureen Svensson, Chair, Murihiku Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Ramona Taogaga, Chair, Taranaki Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
Hinei Taute, Vice President, Rotorua Principals’ Association
Annette Thomson, Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand
Craig Thornhill, New Zealand History Teachers’ Association
Etuale Togia, New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association
Juliette Toma, Member, Mana Primary Principals’ Association
Todd Warmington, President, Northern Wairoa Principals’ Association
Samantha Wehipeihana, Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand
Dr Patricia Wells, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
Alicia Whata, Inner City Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
Jennie Williams, Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators
Tracey Woolley, Chair, NZEI Te Riu Roa Area Council Waitakere Rōpū