Talanoa Ako – Week 3: The New Curriculum

Kicking off Week 3 of Talanoa Ako with one of the educators who knows our rangatahi well. Meli Kaveinga Birdwood School, Auckland.

Schools are making big changes to help everyone—teachers, students, and parents—understand learning better.

Starting in 2026, all schools will begin using new guides for English, Te Reo Rangatira, Math's & Statistics, and Pāngarau.

With these changes, instead of confusing reports, schools will show • where your child is at now • what they can do • what they need to work on next.

Teachers will also use new assessment tools that align with classroom learning.

Alongside these classroom changes, the NCEA qualification is also being updated. Your child’s school will keep you informed at each step, as changes to how Level 1 is assessed have already begun.

More updates for other NCEA levels are planned, and schools will share information as it becomes available. We’ll explain what’s changing and how you can help at home.

Listen now on Spotify, iHeartRadio, or 531pi YouTube

Talanoa Ako &ndash; Week 3: The New Curriculum
Kicking off Week 3 of Talanoa Ako with one of the educators who knows our rangatahi well. Meli Kaveinga Birdwood School, Auckland.
Schools are making big changes to help everyone&mdash;teachers, students, and parents&mdash;understand learning better.
Starting in 2026, all schools will begin using new guides for English, Te Reo Rangatira, Math's &amp; Statistics, and Pāngarau.
With these changes, instead of confusing reports, schools will show &bull; where your child is at now &bull; what they can do &bull; what they need to work on next.
Teachers will also use new assessment tools that align with classroom learning.
Alongside these classroom changes, the NCEA qualification is also being updated. Your child&rsquo;s school will keep you informed at each step, as changes to how Level 1 is assessed have already begun.
More updates for other NCEA levels are planned, and schools will share information as it becomes available. We&rsquo;ll explain what&rsquo;s changing and how you can help at home.
Listen now on Spotify, iHeartRadio, or 531pi YouTube

Talanoa Ako: Back to School Series 2026 – Week 3


What You Need to Know About the New Curriculum.

In Week 3 of our Talanoa Ako: Back to School Series 2026, we break down the latest updates to the national curriculum and what they mean for our tamariki and families.

This year marks an important step forward. The refreshed, knowledge-rich curriculum clearly outlines what students should know and be able to do at each year level — making learning expectations easier to understand for teachers, students, and parents alike.

The goal is simple: clearer pathways, stronger foundations, and better outcomes for every learner.

From the beginning of the 2026 school year, all state and state-integrated schools will teach English, Te Reo Rangatira, Mathematics and Statistics, and Pāngarau across Years 0–10. We unpack what this looks like in the classroom and why it matters.

We also talk about changes to parent reporting, including the introduction of Progress Markers and Progress Descriptors, and how assessment tools are aligning with the new curriculum. Plus, with NCEA under review, we discuss what’s changing at Level 1 and how schools are supporting students through the transition.

To ensure our Pacific communities stay informed and connected, information is available in  7 Pacific languages — Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan and Tuvaluan — as well as English.

Talanoa Ako: Back to School Series 2026 &ndash; Week 3
 What You Need to Know About the New Curriculum.
In Week 3 of our Talanoa Ako: Back to School Series 2026, we break down the latest updates to the national curriculum and what they mean for our tamariki and families.
This year marks an important step forward. The refreshed, knowledge-rich curriculum clearly outlines what students should know and be able to do at each year level &mdash; making learning expectations easier to understand for teachers, students, and parents alike.
The goal is simple: clearer pathways, stronger foundations, and better outcomes for every learner.
From the beginning of the 2026 school year, all state and state-integrated schools will teach English, Te Reo Rangatira, Mathematics and Statistics, and Pāngarau across Years 0&ndash;10. We unpack what this looks like in the classroom and why it matters.
We also talk about changes to parent reporting, including the introduction of Progress Markers and Progress Descriptors, and how assessment tools are aligning with the new curriculum. Plus, with NCEA under review, we discuss what&rsquo;s changing at Level 1 and how schools are supporting students through the transition.
To ensure our Pacific communities stay informed and connected, information is available in&nbsp; 7 Pacific languages &mdash; Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan and Tuvaluan &mdash; as well as English.

PMN Tuvalu Talanoa Ako Back to School Series 2026 Week 3 (Te ‘gana Tuvalu)

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