Erica Stanford tells Samantha Hayes new education curriculum only about ‘85-90%’ right

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Education Minister Erica Stanford is defending the government’s new draft school curriculum despite criticism that it was “rushed” and would cause “chaos” in schools.

The full draft of the year's zero to 10 curriculum was released on Tuesday after being developed by education and curriculum experts.

It is split into eight areas of study: English and Te Reo, mathematics, science, social science, health and physical education, the arts, technology, and learning languages.

There had been some negative feedback but Stanford told Stuff’s Samantha Hayes that it was a “big change”.

“We had the same backlash when we introduced maths and English last year, and you know what we got on with it, and now we are seeing the results.”

Stanford said it was not about the curriculum writers, ministry, or experts, but the kids.

“Have a look at the content. Amazing new content and material they should be learning. And that is what we should be focusing on, not who wrote it and whose ego is a bit bruised, but what are our kids learning.”

Stanford also batted back against accusations that there was a disconnect between what was originally drafted and what was released.

“That is always the way with a new curriculum,” she said, adding that hundreds of people were involved in the process. “Some of the material was used and some was not.”

On whether teachers will be prepared to teach the new curriculum, Stanford was adamant that a “huge amount” of support will be provided.

“This will be fully resourced. There will be lesson plans, there will be resources, there will be lots of professional learning and development that we have already budgeted for.”

Consultation on the draft curriculum is now open, a process that will go for six months, with Stanford saying there will be a revised curriculum then introduced.

“[It’s] only about 85-90% right, we think at the moment, but we do that deliberately so we can make the changes to get it just right,” Stanford said.

“We are out for consultation now. What fits where? Is it the right amount of content? We can pull back on some areas, but what we want to do is hear from those experts, teachers, principals and even parents about what they want to see changed.”

Stanford said she expects the changes will see school results head up for the first time in a “long time”.