Please explain, Minister

Under Section 90B, the Bill would grant the Minister of Education unilateral authority to amend curriculum statements at any time — without prior review or input from the Secretary for Education.

“This is a radical departure from decades of collaborative curriculum development in Aotearoa,” said Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president. “We’ve always relied on robust consultation, expert input, and structured review processes. This Bill undermines those safeguards and concentrates power in a way that is deeply concerning.

“No regulatory impact statement has been released to justify the proposed changes, and the rationale for them remains unclear.

"Equally troubling is the Minister’s continued silence on the widespread backlash against the removal of the requirement for schools to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. More than 800 schools have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to uphold Te Tiriti, with numbers growing daily.

“The Minister’s silence on Te Tiriti and these new curriculum provisions is deafening. Educators across the country are standing up for the values that underpin our education system. Ignoring that collective voice is not just disrespectful—it’s dangerous.”

Educators, subject associations and academics have also voiced serious concerns about the new curriculum drafts released to date. Initial feedback from PPTA members indicates that the proposed content is developmentally inappropriate, overly dense, and lacking in cultural responsiveness. Ironically, the model appears to draw inspiration from England’s curriculum—a system now being critiqued for a disproportionate focus on rote learning.

“We’re left wondering: Is this Bill a response to professional critique? Has the Minister decided that engaging with the sector is too hard, and opted instead for unchecked authority?”

PPTA calls on the Minister to:

• Clearly articulate the intent behind these legislative changes
• Immediately release the regulatory impact statement concerning the proposal to enable the Minister to amend curriculum statements unilaterally and at any time
• Explain how these powers will be exercised responsibly
• Respond meaningfully to the concerns raised by educators, academics, and communities.

“Our children and young people deserve a curriculum shaped by professional evidence, collaboration, and democratic values. Not one imposed from the top down without dialogue or accountability.”