The Ministry of Education releases the public consultation documents and its feedback for Aotearoa New Zealand’s
histories
Kiwi students are another step closer to learning about Aotearoa New Zealand’s history at school, Deputy Secretary for
Early Learning and Student Achievement at the Ministry of Education, Ellen MacGregor-Reid says.
"In September 2019, Hon Chris Hipkins announced Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories would be taught in all schools and kura
from 2022. This was a response to the growing calls from New Zealanders to know more about our own history and identity.
"This new curriculum content will support ākonga to be critical thinkers and understand our past, in order to make sense
of the present. They will be learning Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories from a range of people’s perspectives at a local
and national level," Ellen MacGregor-Reid said.
The Ministry of Education tested the draft curriculum content for The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o
Aotearoa from February 3 to May 31, 2021. Testing was done in school and kura staffrooms, in classrooms, and with the
public. Feedback was invited through a survey or general submission.
"The Ministry is pleased to now have the opportunity to share with the public what we heard, what the key themes were
and how we’ve responded to that feedback. The diverse feedback that we have heard from New Zealanders has been
invaluable, and we appreciate the input from everyone who took the time to support this critical learning for all young
people of Aotearoa.
"We’re planning to release the finalised Te Takanga o Te Wā and Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum content in
October 2021, in time for kura and schools to start planning how it will be included in their marau ā-kura or local
curriculum from 2022 onwards.
"Support for teachers, kaiako and leaders is critical. There are a wide range of resources and professional learning
supports available now for leaders, kaiako and teachers for use. Implementation supports and resources will continue to
be developed and added to over time.
"This is a journey for all of us, and there are many in the community such as Iwi and hapū that are still working out
how they would like to work alongside schools and kura to deliver rich learning. The Ministry of Education wants to
support effective collaboration and is looking at the best ways to do that, while learning from instances where it is
working well.
"There is wider work under way to refresh our national curriculum, which includes The New Zealand Curriculum and Te
Marautanga o Aotearoa, over the next five years. The refresh will make sure the national curriculum is clear and easy to
use, and is delivering inclusive and equitable learning for all ākonga. Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories marks the first
step towards the changes in the respective curriculum documents," Ellen MacGregor-Reid said.
Te Takanga o Te Wā will be part of the learning under the Tikanga ā-Iwi wāhanga ako of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. And
Aotearoa New Zealand's histories will be part of the learning under the Social Sciences learning area of The New Zealand
Curriculum.
The following four reports are now available to view on education.govt.nz/AotearoaNZhistories:
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories: Findings from the public engagement on the draft curriculum content (full report and
summary)
Produced by: New Zealand Centre for Educational Research
Description: This full report and summary collates feedback received from the public consultation.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories and Te Takanga o te Wā: Classroom and akomanga trialling of draft content
Produced by: New Zealand Centre for Educational Research
Description: This summarises and collates feedback received from the classroom testing.Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories: Findings from school engagement on the draft curriculum content
Produced by: Te Paetawhiti Ltd & Associates
Description: This summarises and collates feedback received from the staffroom survey.Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories and Te Takanga o te Wā: What you told us and how we’re responding
Produced by: Ministry of Education
Description: This summarises the themes from the above reports and shows how the Ministry of Education has responded in
either changing the draft curriculum content or the Ministry’s planned implementation supports.