- By Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister and MP for Botany
We’re proposing to replace NCEA with new national qualifications to ensure New Zealand students have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
We want every New Zealander to reach their full potential and contribute to a thriving economy, and that starts with our students.
The evidence shows NCEA in its current form is not consistent across schools and is hard to navigate.
Furthermore, it doesn’t always deliver what students and employers need. This has to change.
We’re proposing a qualification that’s internationally benchmarked, easier to understand, with clearer vocational pathways, has a focus on foundational skills, and is more consistent in how we assess students.
Under our new proposal, NCEA Level 1 would be removed, allowing year 11 students to focus on preparing for their main secondary qualifications in years 12 and 13.
A new Foundational Skills Award will recognise literacy and numeracy at year 11.
The existing NCEA Levels 2 and 3 would be replaced by two new qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate of Education for year 12, and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education for year 13.
We want to make the qualifications less complex, so everyone is clear where a student is at with their learning.
Parents can’t help their children improve their grades when they don’t know what they mean.
That’s why we’re proposing that each subject will have internal and external assessments that add up to a total of 100 marks, and align with a grade of A, B, C, D.
Assessments will move from a fragmented standards-based system to a subject-based approach.
Students will be required to take English and Mathematics at year 11, along with at least five subjects in years 12 and 13, needing to pass at least four to gain each certificate.
The new curriculum will start to be introduced at the beginning of 2026, the Foundational Skills Award in 2028, and the new certificates in 2029 and 2030 for years 12 and 13.
Consultation on the proposal is open until September 15, with final decisions due by the end of this year.
These bold education reforms are about raising achievement, and our new proposed national qualifications are designed to ensure our children are getting the skills and knowledge they need to set them up for success.
Developing New Zealand’s future talent is a key part of our plan to grow the economy and create well-paying jobs.
That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring every child receives a world leading education and a national qualification that makes New Zealanders proud.
