New Zealand Science Curriculum Released

Pōhitokā (5/11/25): Got a few minutes to spare? Bay Science is gathering initial sector impressions — share your whakaaro here.

---

The New Zealand Science Curriculum has been released for Phases 1 to 4 (Years 1–10). Social Sciences, Health, The Arts, Learning Languages, and Technology are also available.

The rebuilt Science Learning Area introduces a revised structure and new framing for science learning across Years 1–10.

Feedback: What We'll Be Looking For

Feedback on the released learning areas is available from October 28 2025 through to Friday, 24 April 2026.

Bay Science will also be examining the curriculum documents closely to see how they stack up against the global shifts in science education, as well as the unique and diverse needs of students in Aotearoa New Zealand. We would appreciate if you could share your initial thoughts too.

Some of our guiding questions:

• How clearly does the curriculum articulate a purpose for science education in the 21st century, in light of calls for change outlined as early as 2012?
  

• How well does it align with international frameworks and priorities such as PISA 2025, UNESCO ESD, OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030/2040 and the UN SDGs?
  

• Does it enable the development of the competencies described through the Nature of Science, Science Capabilities, and Enduring Competencies?
  

• How well does the new curriculum align with the key messages and insights of Aotearoa New Zealand education researchers, and international researchers?
  

• How does the levelling of concepts compare to NZC07? Are concepts appropriately levelled and sequenced for progression?
  

• As tangata tiriti, is this curriculum empowering for ākonga Māori? How well does the curriculum enable teaching and learning through culturally responsive pedagogy?

See the draft curriculum (includes links to all learning areas)

See also: Beehive press release.

See also: Earth and Space Science Educators NZ Open Letter

ESSENZ Open Letter November 2025.pdf

Download PDF • 396KB

External Media

• The imported ideology behind education reform – e-Tangata

• School principals are criticising Education Minister Erica Stanford, accusing her of bowing to extremists after removing Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations from school boards (Te Karere).

• Intense debate over school curriculum reflects significant social crisis

• Are students suffering the side-effects of the bug infecting education policy?

• School curriculum ‘will perpetuate racism and ongoing inequity in our schools’

• Māori academic warns draft curriculum erases children's rights to local histories

• Thursday 23 October Mega Strike (One News).

• Physical Education New Zealand letter to the Minister of Education.

• Joint press release from the presidents of all four Arts Subject Associations.

• Outdoor Ed change opponents to rally at Parliament

• Home economics is about nourishing a nation. So why is it being scrapped?

• An open letter from leading mathematics academics from every New Zealand university

• New, new curriculum setting kids up to fail – maths experts

• Aotearoa Social Studies Educators Network public statement

• History teachers label government's draft curriculum 'unrealistic', 'unmanageable'

• Curriculum upheaval darkening mood in school staff rooms – The Post

• Hundreds of principals to boycott curriculum roadshows – RNZ

• Hundreds of principals urge Minister to halt rushed rollout – RNZ

• NZ curriculum refresh – “The world faces complex challenges and science education must reflect that” – The Conversation (2023)

• What Happens to the Scientist in Your Child? How the New Science Curriculum Risks Unteaching Curiosity

• #notourcurriculum counts at least 75 scientists in the science curriculum, with only 3 Māori and zero Pacific scientists mentioned.

• Unrest and in pieces: The death of Te Mātaiaho

• Yet another maths curriculum, but why?

• Rushed new maths curriculum doesn’t add up

• Education Ministry says new curriculums are much clearer - but principals disagree

• ‘Coloniality of knowledge’ deliberately creating inequity

• 'Just absolutely ridiculous' - new school curriculum unpopular with principals

• New curriculum has ‘no mana... no integrity’ - Māori Principals Association

Pōhitokā (5/11/25): Got a few minutes to spare? Bay Science is gathering initial sector impressions — share your whakaaro here.