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"Structural change was required": Education Minister pushes ahead with plan to scrap NCEA

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 26 Mar 2026, 12:17pm
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the link was included through human error. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the link was included through human error. Photo / Mark Mitchell

"Structural change was required": Education Minister pushes ahead with plan to scrap NCEA

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 26 Mar 2026, 12:17pm

The Education Minister’s pressing ahead with a major overhaul of NCEA, scrapping the current system and replacing it entirely. 

Cabinet’s signed off on a move to subject-based assessments in Years 12 and 13. 

The first changes will roll out from 2028, when NCEA Level One will be axed altogether. 

Erica Stanford says English and Maths will be compulsory for all Year 11 students under the new model, and is seeking more information on making Science compulsory in Year 11. 

She told Kerre Woodham she believes the work they’ve done in implementing the new system has set them up for success and longevity.  

Stanford says they put in the work to understand what the sector and parents thought so they could accurately highlight the problems with the system, and build a curriculum and qualification that works.  

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