Resources

Significant change ahead for History in the New Zealand Curriculum.

This page tracks how the refresh of the History curriculum has been progressing, both in Phase 1-4 (Y0-10) Social Sciences and Phase 5 Phase 5 History | Te Takanga o te Wā (Y11-13) and brings together the materials, analysis, and sector voices NZHTA has gathered.

Phase 1-4:

Y0-10 Social Sciences Curriculum final was released in August 2026. Schools and kura are expected to start using the Years 9-10 content from 2027.

Here is a FAQ sheet from NZHTA and a Year 9/10 History Strand Overview document to begin your thinking and planning for 2027 in your departments and faculties.

Here is the link to the NZHTA, ASSEN, NZBoGT and CETA online hui to unpack the new Year 9 & 10 Social Sciences curriculum and get you started for 2027. Together, we’ll explore the curriculum big picture, knowledge and practices, the conceptual framework, phases and capabilities, and take a closer look at the four Social Sciences strands. And here is the link to the slide presentation.

The Social Sciences learning area is organised into History, Geography, Civics and Society, and Financial and Economic Activity strands.

Find out more about what’s coming next for the updated Years 0-10 curriculum from the Ministry of Education, including links to timeline, resources and engagement opportunities.

Phase 5:

The Ministry of Education released the draft Phase 5 (Years 11–13) History | Te Takanga o te Wā curriculum content on 21 August 2026. Consultation on this draft is open to 20 September 2026.

This is the MoE link to make a submission on these subjects: https://education.surveymonkey.com/r/Phase5SubjectsConsultationGroup4

You can find other consultation information also on Tāhūrangi:

https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/phase-5-consultation

Monday 9 November - Te Tai Tokerau / Northland - Kerikeri High School https://forms.gle/BatzZ5STtqxnCWnFA

Tuesday 10 November - Tāmaki Makaurau / North Auckland – Northcote College
https://forms.gle/L2q9FDvVt371FW64A

Wednesday 11 November - Tāmaki Makaurau / South Auckland – Manurewa High School
https://forms.gle/7Q6xyoHn1QXaT5RD8

Friday 13 November – ONLINE REGIONAL WORKSHOP

https://forms.gle/v9vaC8TC53KP5dww6

Monday 16 November - Whakatū / Nelson – Nelson College for Girls
https://forms.gle/67nshreULfdXBVaF9

Tuesday 17 November - Ōtautahi / Christchurch – Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
https://forms.gle/W8B3YV73yELveZfL7

Wednesday 18 November - Ōtepoti / Dunedin – Venue Trinity Catholic College
https://forms.gle/RS24cuCNyCRXttQY6

Monday 23 November - Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke’s Bay – Venue Havelock North High School
https://forms.gle/utqZrChSyMjXcM6R9

Tuesday 24 November - Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington – St Patrick’s College
https://forms.gle/oXcpWpQpK6Rk4KxcA

Thursday 26 November - Waikato / Rotorua – Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
https://forms.gle/PZN1KpCagdYDwMT69

NCEA Assessment Update:

The government has also confirmed that from 2028, NCEA will be replaced with 2 new national qualifications:

New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) for Year 12
New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) for Year 13

NZCE will roll out in 2029, followed by NZACE in 2030.