Source: NZ Principals Federation
Tēnā koe Minister Stanford,
I am writing on behalf of the Whiria New Plymouth Principals Association and South Taranaki Principals Association to express our serious collective concerns regarding the current speed and nature of educational policy changes. The sheer volume of reform is creating an environment of “change overload” that we believe is unsustainable, risking the quality of education for our students (ākonga) and negatively impacting the well-being of school leaders (tumuaki) and teachers (kaiako).
Our Association fully endorses and stands in alignment with all recent communications issued by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) concerning the following critical areas.
1. Curriculum Reform and Implementation Timelines
We have significant concerns about the process and timing for implementing the new curriculum
● Pace of Change: We note that this is the third time in two years the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula have been changed. Implementing these major updates requires adequate time for schools to explore, understand, and unpack the documents, supported by bespoke Professional Learning and Development (PLD)
○ Action Requested: We strongly recommend extending the implementation timeframe for the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula to at least Term 3,2026.
● Knowledge-Rich Curriculum: The move towards a knowledge-rich curriculum across all other learning areas is a massive undertaking. Successful implementation demands practical, on-the-ground engagement and consultation with key stakeholders – such as principals, leadership teams, and teachers – who possess essential knowledge about what works best for our ākonga.
● Unrealistic Timelines: Due to the significant changes in content, approach, and design, we find the proposed timelines for implementing the other curriculum areas to be unrealistic and unworkable. While we acknowledge the provision of resources, the time available is insufficient.
We urge you to review the current implementation plan to ensure schools can realistically absorb and implement these significant changes effectively. In response to these concerns, the Whiria Principals Association and the South Taranaki Principals Association supports the specific actions outlined by NZPF:
● Non-Engagement: Principals will not engage with the Ministry regarding the October 19th curriculum changes to English and Mathematics/Statistics, including any invitations to regional Te Mahau NZ Curriculum PLD, until our concerns are formally acknowledged and addressed.
● Urgent Review: We call for urgent action to revisit the Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum and extend its implementation to Term 3, 2026.
● Honour Commitments: We will honour existing PLD commitments with Providers for the 2024 draft Mathematics and Statistics, and English curricula for years 0-10.
2. Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The announced intention to remove Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities from School Boards via amendments to the Education and Training Act is deeply concerning.
● Firm Stance: Our Association maintains a firm and unwavering commitment to TeTiriti. Our constitution includes Te Tiriti principles, and our school leaders and staff have consistently undertaken mahi (work) to give meaningful effect to it within their unique school contexts.
3. The Teaching Council We view the proposed changes to the Teaching Council’s governance and functions as a significant threat to the professional independence of the teaching sector.
● Opposition to Ministerial Control: We oppose any measure that diminishes the role of elected members or shifts the setting of professional standards away from an independent, sector-led body and into the direct control of the Ministry of Education.
Erosion of Trust: This structural change risks eroding the necessary separation between the policy setter and the professional regulator, which we believe will severely damage the crucial trust between the government and the teaching sector.
Conclusion and Proposed Pathway Forward
Minister, our principals are not opposed to necessary change. Our position is a professional concern about the current pace, the lack of genuine consultation, and the perceived absence of research-based pedagogy underpinning these sweeping reforms.
We urge you to take immediate and decisive action by:
1. Pausing and Reconsidering: Temporarily halt (pause) the mandated implementation timeline for the new curriculum to allow for genuine, collaborative refinement with the education sector.
2. Committing to Dialogue: Commit to meaningful, solutions-focused dialogue with the NZPF and the broader sector to find an achievable and sustainable path forward.
The principals we represent are ready and willing to assist in constructive consultation to ensure education policy is robust, sustainable, and genuinely leads to improved outcomes for all ākonga.
Nāku noa, nā,
Hamish Hislop and Paul Johnson
Co Presidents
On behalf of the Whiria New Plymouth Principals Association and South Taranaki Principals’ Association.
