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NCEA update: structure of new qualification system agreed  

26 March 2026

The Government has agreed to the structure of a new qualification system to replace the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

The announcement by the Minister of Education, the Hon Erica Stanford, on 26 March is available here and follows a consultation process where more than 10,000 people had their say.

Today’s announcement is the first major milestone in a carefully sequenced set of decisions to design a modern qualification system that will align with the new knowledge rich curriculum.

Cabinet approved an initial package outlining the structural components of the new qualification system. These include:

  • Replacing NCEA with a new secondary qualifications system with two levels over two years at Years 12 & 13.
  • Introducing subject-based assessment for Years 12 & 13, ensuring students are assessed on whole curriculum subjects.
  • Removing NCEA Level 1 and replacing it with deeper, curriculum-driven learning in Year 11. This will better prepare students for the qualification in Years 12 and 13.  
  • Introducing a Foundational Award recognising students’ achievement in literacy and numeracy at a Year 11 curriculum level. 
  • A requirement that all Year 11 students study English | Te Reo Rangatira and Mathematics | Pāngarau from 2028. 
  • Integrating industry-led subjects into the senior curriculum, providing a single qualification pathway.  

This is the first tranche in the design of the new qualification system. The detailed design of the new qualification will now get underway and the Ministry will be undertaking targeted engagement and working with the new Technical Advisory Group.

What happens next?

Tranche two includes achievement requirements for Year 12 and 13; whether the Foundational Award is a requirement for the Year 12 and 13 qualifications; and more information about how grading is going to work, for example what scale is used for grading.  Assessment  will be developed to incentivise learning and achievement, better preparing students for life after  school.

During public consultation, it was suggested it be made compulsory for schools and kura to require Year 11 students to take Science | Pūtaiao.  The Ministry will prepare further advice on an implementation strategy for this.

Studying Science | Pūtaio in Year 11 can broaden students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also sets them up with pathways to a diverse range of careers. We recognise that some schools currently do not offer the option of Science | Pūtaio in Year 11 and so some students are missing the opportunity of studying this subject and having more options to inform future pathways.

Implementation information and support

Schools are not required to make any changes in 2026 as the NCEA still applies.

The new qualification system will be implemented from 2028 (Y11), 2029 (Y12) and 2030 (Y13). This will help give teachers the time to familiarise themselves with the updated curriculum and the new qualifications and time for the school system, more broadly, to adapt. Between now and 2028, the Ministry will be designing the support for Principals and leaders to confidently implement the changes. This includes prioritising new curriculum and qualification resources for the first cohort who are currently in Year 9.

You can download these documents

This June, we are hosting a Term 2 Curriculum & Assessment Roadshow designed specifically for Years 11–13 secondary, kura and area school leaders. This series of one-day events are an opportunity to further support secondary school leaders to confidently implement upcoming curriculum, assessment, and qualification changes. 

For more information and to register visit: Curriculum & Assessment Roadshow.

Curriculum design 

The development of Phase | Tūārere 5 Years 11-13 of the curriculum is underway. The draft curriculum will be released for wider feedback in three groups, firstly in May, followed by June and July. The new curriculum will be implemented progressively for Years | Tau 11-13 from 2028 to 2030 and will align with the new qualification system. 

A list of the senior secondary subjects  for the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) can be  found here NZC Years 11-13 Subject Descriptors and for Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (TMoA) Tau 11-13 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Subject Descriptors.