Science Curriculum Timeline: Key Dates and Rollout Plan 2025–2030

On 16 October 2025, Minister Erica Stanford announced national updates to curriculum and assessment. Details of this announcement can be found on an October 16 post on Tāhūrangi. For science teachers, the update mentions a timeline which includes the refreshed Science and Pūtaiao learning areas, along with indications of the types of support and PLD that might support the transition.

Science Curriculum Release: October 28 2025

• October 20 2025: Final curriculum content will be available on Tāhūrangi for:

  • Years 0-10 English and Te Reo Rangatira

  • Years 0-10 Mathematics and Statistics and Pāngarau will be available on Tāhūrangi from Monday October 20, 2025.

    
    

• October 28 2025: Remaining draft curriculum framework and learning areas for:

  • Years 0-10 of the New Zealand Curriculum will be available for consultation on Tāhūrangi.

  • Years 0-10 of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa will begin to be available on Tāhūrangi

Changes to the phased roll out of the curriculum

• 2026:

  • All learning areas available; encouraged use of all Year 9 content.

    
    

• 2027: 

  • The new Science and Pūtaiao curriculum officially takes root for Years 0 – 10.

  • Year 11 - 13 use existing curricula and NCEA Level 1-3.*
    

• 2028: 

  • Implementation extends to Year 11.

  • Proposed Foundational Award introduced for Year 11.*

  • Year 12 - 13 use existing curricula for NCEA Level 2 and 3.*
    

• 2029: 

  • Implementation extends to Year 12.

  • Proposed New Zealand Certificate of Education introduced for Year 12.*

  • Year 13 use existing curricula for NCEA Level 3.*
    

• 2030: 

  • Implementation extends to Year 13.

  • Proposed New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education Introduced.*

A copy of the previous science curriculum timeline can be seen here.

Italicised statements marked with an asterisk (*) are based on the NCEA replacement timeline found here.

See the original post on Tāhūrangi (don't miss the downloadable PDF at the bottom)

See the press release (Beehive)