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5 Aug 2026Erica Stanford

New specialist school to fill long-standing gap in Gisborne

A new specialist school for students with complex needs in Gisborne will open in the next two years, the first of its kind in the region,

3 Aug 2026Erica Stanford

School Onsite Training Programme to provide 704 places every year from 2028

The Government is backing more Kiwi’s to train to be teachers by significantly expanding practical, classroom-based training and providing more support to attract teachers to schools

31 Jul 2026Erica Stanford

800 small and remote schools benefit from upgrades

A nationwide programme upgrading New Zealand’s small and remote schools has completed its 800th school upgrade, says Education Minister Erica Stanford. “The work of the Small

22 Jul 2026Erica Stanford

Calmer, quieter classrooms - as walls go up

Nearly 200 schools have begun the process of replacing open-plan classrooms with enclosed learning spaces to create quieter, calmer spaces more suited for learning, Education Minister

7 Jul 2026Penny Simmonds

Qualification completions increase across the tertiary sector

New data on New Zealand's tertiary education system shows growth in qualification completions across the sector, says Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education The latest Ministry

3 Jul 2026Erica Stanford

Curriculum release dates confirmed for Years 0-10

The updated National Curriculum for Years 0–10 will be released by 9 September 2026, following consultation with the education sector and the public, Education Minister Erica

2 Jul 2026Erica Stanford

Nationwide roll-out of oral language programme to ECEs

The Government is funding a major expansion of the New Zealand-developed ENRICH programme to help young children build the language skills they need, Education Minister Erica

24 Jun 2026Erica Stanford

New awards celebrate excellence and delivering real results for students

Teachers, principals and schools across New Zealand are being celebrated in the first inaugural Education Excellence Awards, Education Minister Erica Stanford hosted today. The inaugural New

17 Jun 2026Erica Stanford

220,000 students take the SMART test

More than 1300 schools and 220,000 students have used the Student Monitoring Assessment and Reporting Tool (SMART) since it was introduced in February, Education Minister Erica

11 Jun 2026Erica Stanford

Nearly 1400 classrooms fully funded in two and a half years

Education Minister Erica Stanford announced a $160 million investment to deliver new classrooms that will support growing communities across Auckland and the upper North Island. “This

8 Jun 2026Erica Stanford

Ensuring safer drinking water in schools

The Government is investing $30m through the Drinking Water in Schools Programme to ensure more rural and remote schools can upgrade their drinking water, Minister of

5 Jun 2026Erica Stanford

Budget 26: $62.5 million for more classrooms in South Island Schools

Students and communities across the South Island will benefit from a $62.5 million investment package to build more classrooms and upgrade others, Minister of Education Erica

3 Jun 2026Penny Simmonds

Tertiary Research Excellence Fund focused on driving economic growth

The introduction of the new Tertiary Research Excellence Fund (TREF) will direct research effort towards economic growth while cutting red tape, says Penny Simmonds, Minister for

3 Jun 2026Nicola Willis · Erica Stanford

More trades academy places for young people

More young New Zealanders will have the opportunity to gain practical skills and industry experience while still at school, with the Government doubling the number of

29 May 2026Tom Rutherford

Tom Rutherford - The Week That Was

Budget 2026 Building a more secure future for New Zealand Budget 2026 demonstrates the economic and fiscal discipline needed to steer New Zealand through an uncertain

28 May 2026Erica Stanford

Investing in secondary achievement

Budget 2026 invests around $2.1 billion to continue building the foundations of a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for success, Education Minister Erica

27 May 2026Erica Stanford

Government listens to feedback on homeschool regulations

The Government has listened to feedback from the homeschool sector and has agreed to pause work on regulation changes, says Education Minster Erica Stanford. “The Ministry

18 May 2026Erica Stanford

Proposed amendments to Education System Reform Bill to be considered

The Government is continuing to strengthen New Zealand’s education system, with several amendments to the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill set to be considered