What is it?

The System Reform Bill is an attempt to hijack the public education system of its distinctiveness for the tamariki of Aotearoa. The bill politicises the system, leaving it vulnerable to constant change where politicians, not educators, design our curriculum and set the standards for how our tamariki learn and what they learn.

The Education and Training (System Reform) Bill had its first reading on 18 November. Submissions close on 14 January 2026. Teachers, parents, students and school boards had no warning or consultation on this bill which has deep and wide-reaching implications.

After two years of constant and unpredicable change, the education sector is feeling undervalued, ignored and frustrated. This bill promises ‘efficiency’, ‘clarity’ and ‘better outcomes’. However the reality is a bill that pushes Māori voices and Te Tiriti further to the margins, removes schools’ automony to localise the curriculum, centralises power and direct political control and expands privatisation.

The System Reform Bill:

Legislates for direct Ministerial control of the curriculum
Pushes Māori voices out of decision making, sidelining te ao Māori approaches
Strips teachers and school leaders of their professional autonomy
Leaves inclusive education to chance and disabled and rainbow learners behind
Closes doors to community and whānau involvement in the education of their tamariki
Threatens the employment of staff at charter schools wanting to convert back to State Schools
Can force construction and maintenance costs on financially stretched schools, taking them to court if they cannot pay
Introduces a raft of avenues to privatise the public education system

The Government is asking for submissions at the end of the school year, during report writing and while schools prepare to teach the new curriculum at the start of term 1, 2026. The timeframe is unreasonable, unfair and undemocratic.

What can you do to stop this?

Submit against this bill! This sends a clear message to the Coalition Government that you stand with the public and our tamariki for a strong Te Tiriti based, inclusive public education system, designed with Māori, educators, experts and communities. The document link below includes guidelines for making a submission as well as a summary of key elements of the bill.

Join the webinars below, learn more and write your submission in real time:

Thursday 11 December, 2025 – 4.00pm-5.00pm

Tuesday 16 December, 2025 – 7.00pm-8.00pm

LINK TO THIS GUIDELINE DOCUMENT TO HELP GUIDE YOUR SUBMISSION WRITING