Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

Earlier today, Minister Erica Stanford announced a significant proposal that could reshape the secondary qualification landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Image source: Adobe Stock

Read the Beehive Press Release Here

The Ministry of Education is seeking feedback on a new national qualification pathway to replace NCEA. As educators, this is a critical moment to ensure our voices are heard. The consultation on proposal to replace NCEA is now open.

🗓️ Consultation is open now and closes 15 September 2025.

📄 Read the discussion document and access the consultation portal here.

A discussion document is also available which contains a timeline of the curriculum and proposed qualification changes, as well as a sample record of achievement (pictured above).

Join a webinar | Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

The ministry is hosting a series of webinars from 11 August to help kaiako and leaders understand the proposed changes and how they might impact your practice. You can sign up for those here:

• Monday 11 August, 1pm-2pm (Principals and Tumuaki – English)

• Monday 11 August, 4-5pm (Principals and Tumuaki – te reo Māori)

• Wednesday 13 August, 4pm-5pm (Assistant Principals and Deputy Principals – English)

• Thursday 14 August, 4pm-5pm (Assistant Principals and Deputy Principals – te reo Māori)

• Wednesday 20 August, 4pm-5pm (Teachers and kaiako – English)

• Thursday 21 August, 4pm-5pm (Teachers and kaiako – te reo Māori)

• Wednesday 27 August, 4pm-5pm (Teachers and kaiako – te reo Māori)

• Thursday 28 August, 4pm-5pm (Teachers and kaiako – English).

You can also email questions and additional feedback to NCEAconsultation@education.govt.nz

Whether you’re excited, concerned, or simply curious, this is the time to think about the purpose of education. What might an improved qualification system look like for our ākonga? What role should science and science capabilities play? And how can we preserve what works, improve what doesn’t, whilst addressing some of the global challenges of the Anthropocene?

Consultation Portal on Proposal to Replace NCEA

Media coverage and educator opinion pieces:

• RNZ: Principals urge halt to NCEA change plans

• E-tangata: Invisible Intelligence

• ‘Reckless and unachievable’: A tired teacher critiques the proposed NCEA overhaul

• NCEA’s Future Decided. Beaton vs Welby Ings and the Pretence of Consultation

• NCEA Reform: Window Dressing or Genuine Change?

• Changes to NCEA labelled a rebranding

• Goodbye NCEA, hello grades A to E: Return to traditional marking in new school qualifications regime

• NCEA changes: Some aspects like 'a step backwards in time' - principal

• 'Too much credit counting': Government proposes replacing NCEA school system

• Watch: AI will aid with NCEA replacement, Education Minister says

• NCACE - FML!

• Long-time Maori educator Maahia Nathan questions from whose perspective the new NCEA replacement will be written...

• Mixed reactions across Aotearoa as the regions brace for NCEA changes