In May 2019, following a year-long public engagement, the Government announced a package of seven changes to strengthen NCEA which was subsequently confirmed by Cabinet in February 2020. These changes (listed below) will come into effect from 2023 and we will continue to share more information as the year progresses: 

1. Make NCEA more accessible
2. Equal status for mātauranga Maori in NCEA
3. Strengthen literacy and numeracy requirements and assessments
4. Fewer, larger standards
5. Simplify NCEA’s structure
6. Clearer pathways to further education or work
7. Keep NCEA Level 1 optional

Numeracy and Literacy Pilot 2022

In 2022, some Year 9 and 10 students will be supporting the Ministry of Education and NZQA to pilot the new Literacy and Numeracy standards. 

The new literacy and numeracy standards will help ensure that students have the foundational skills to support them in further studies, work, and life. The standards will become a mandatory part of NCEA in 2023. This pilot is part of changes (listed above) that are happening to strengthen NCEA. 

Whanau will be informed (in the coming months) if your young person is ready to sit one or more of the following standards: reading, writing, numeracy, pāngarau or te reo matatini.