Subject Descriptors for Phase 5 (Year 11-13) | But where is General Science?

The Ministry has released the Phase 5 subject descriptors for Years | Tau 11–13 across both the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and Tūārere (TMoA). These offer an initial outline of each senior secondary subject’s stated focus and intent, giving kaiako a sense of the direction being signalled for the next stage of curriculum development.

• Years 11-13 New Zealand Curriculum Subject Descriptors

• Tau 11-13 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Subject Descriptors

In case you missed it, NZC subject descriptors are also available as a PDF.

NZC-Subject-Descriptions-Years-11-13.pdf

Download PDF • 544KB

Where is General Science?

One thing kaiako are already noticing is the absence of General Science in Year 12 and Year 13. Whether this gap is intentional, temporary, or simply an artefact of the drafting process isn’t yet clear; but it has implications for schools (such as those in rural areas) that rely on a broad, non-specialist science option to support diverse learners.

Should General Science be a subject at Year 12 and Year 13?

• 0%Aē | Yes
• 0%Kao | No

Subject Descriptors

NZC	TMoA
Year 11 Science Students are taught broad, foundational science knowledge, including core scientific concepts and methods across the disciplines of Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Science, and Physics. Students are taught how to use the principles of scientific investigation and apply scientific knowledge in everyday and disciplinary contexts. Science in Year 11 supports progression into further study in the sciences and science-related subjects at Years 12 and 13, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Earth and Space Science, and related industry-led subjects.	Year 11 Putaiao Mokopuna are taught broad, foundational science knowledge through a pūtaiao-centric lens, including core scientific concepts and methods across the disciplines of Mātai Matu (Chemistry), Mātai Koiora (Biology), Ao ā-nuku Ao ātea (Earth and Space Science) and Mātai Ahupūngao (Physics). Mokopuna are taught how to use the principles of scientific investigation and apply scientific knowledge in everyday and disciplinary contexts. Pūtaiao in Year 11 supports progression into further study in the pūtaiao and science-related subjects at Years 12 and 13, including Tātai Arorangi, Mātai Koiora (Biology), Mātai Matu (Chemistry), Mātai Ahupūngao (Physics), Mātai Whenua me te Ahumara (Agricultural and Horticultural Science), and Ao ā-nuku Ao ātea (Earth and Space Science).
Year 12 & 13 Biology Students are taught about living systems focusing on how organisms function, interact, and evolve within biological systems. Students are taught how to use practical investigations to test and apply knowledge in areas such as cellular biology, genetics, ecological systems, body systems, and biotechnology. Biology leads to pathways in biology and related disciplines including biomedical science, environmental science, biotechnology, and health sciences.	Year 12 & 13 Mātai Koiora Mokopuna are taught about living systems, focussing on how organisms function, interact, and evolve within biological systems. Mokopuna are taught how to use practical investigation to test and apply knowledge in kaupapa such as pūtau koiora (cellular biology), mātai iranga (genetics), pūnaha hauropi (ecological systems), pūnaha tinana (body systems) and hangarau koiora (biotechnology). Mātai Koiora leads to pathways in biology and related disciplines including biomedical science, environmental science, biotechnology, and health sciences.
Year 12 & 13 Chemistry Students are taught about the properties, structure, and composition of matter, and the physical and chemical transformations it undergoes. Students are taught how to investigate chemical systems and processes through theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Chemistry leads to pathways in chemistry and related sciences such as biomedicine, food science, environmental science, health sciences, and engineering.	Year 12 & 13 Mātai Matū Mokopuna are taught about the properties, structure, and composition of matter, and the physical and chemical transformations it undergoes. Mokopuna are taught how to investigate chemical systems and processes through theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Mātai Matu leads to pathways in chemistry and related sciences such as biomedicine, health sciences and engineering.
Year 12 & 13 Earth and Space Science Students are taught about Earth’s systems and the universe, with a focus on concepts from astronomy, geology, climate science, and environmental change. They are taught how to apply theoretical knowledge and scientific modelling to investigate key processes and their implications. Earth & Space Science leads to pathways in environmental sciences, Earth and space science, geological and geotechnical sciences, aerospace sciences, and astronomy.	Year 12 & 13 Ao ā-nuku Ao ātea Mokopuna are taught about Earth’s systems and the universe, with a focus on concepts from astronomy (mātai arorangi), mātai aronuku (geology), climate science, and environmental change. They are taught how to apply theoretical knowledge and scientific modelling to investigate key processes and their implications. Ao ā-nuku Ao ātea leads to pathways in environmental sciences, earth and space science, geological and geotechnical sciences, aerospace sciences and mātai arorangi (astronomy).
Year 12 & 13 Physics Students are taught about key areas of physics, including mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, and modern physics including quantum phenomena. Students are taught how to examine and use experimental techniques, mathematical modelling, and the fundamental concepts of physics to explain the natural world. Physics leads to pathways in physics and related fields such as engineering, technology, medicine, and other physical sciences.	Year 12 & 13 Mātai Ahupūngao Mokopuna are taught about key areas of mātai ahupūngao (physics), inlcuding tūkanga pūhanga (mechanics), ngaru (waves), electromagnetism, and modern physics including quantum phenomena. Mokopuna are taught how to examine and use experimental techniques, mathematical modelling, and the fundamental concepts of physics to explain the natural world. Mātai Ahupūngao leads to pathways in physics and related fields such as engineering, hangarau (technology), medicine and physical sciences.
Year 12 & 13 AgHort Students are taught about biological, environmental, physical, and human systems, and how these interact and are managed to sustain agricultural and horticultural production. Students are taught how to examine topics such as plant, animal, and soil science, sustainability, business and management practices, and production technologies, and develop skills to apply this knowledge in practice. Agricultural and Horticultural Science leads to pathways in agricultural and horticultural science and related fields, such as sustainability, agriscience, or land-based industries.	Year 12 & 13 Mātai Ahuw whenua me te Ahumāra Mokopuna are taught about biological, environmental, physical and human systems, and how these interact and are managed to sustain agricultural and horticultural production. Mokopuna are taught how to examine kaupapa such as tipu (plant), kīrehe (animal) and mātai oneone (soil science), sustainability, management practices and production technologies, and develop skills to apply this knowledge in practice. Mātai Ahuwhenua me te Ahumāra leads to pathways in agricultural and horticultural science and related fields such as sustainability, agri-science, or whenua-based practices and industries.
	Year 12 & 13 Tātai Arorangi Mokopuna are taught astronomical concepts deepening their understanding of celestial bodies, cycles, and cosmology. Mokopuna are taught to examine the interrelationships between the land, sea, and sky, where pūtaiao and science intersect, recognising that these are distinct yet interconnected bodies of knowledge. Tātai Arorangi leads to pathways in astronomy and space science, environmental science and management, education and indigenous studies, iwi development, and kaupapa Māori leadership.

Ngā mihi

Ngā mihi to the kaiako who continue to follow these updates closely and advocate for clarity, coherence, and pathways that genuinely support rangatahi across Aotearoa.