February 04, 2026

#national: Focus on Māori Education as Schools Start the Year — New Curriculum and Support Package Unveiled

Matthew Tukaki Posted On February 4, 2026

As Aotearoa’s schools and kura open for the first term of the year, a significant push is underway to reshape the education landscape – particularly for Māori learners. The Government has released a major Māori education support package alongside draft national curriculum content now out for consultation, a move that puts long-term Māori educational success at the centre of classroom policy and rangatahi learning.

The Māori education package, part of Budget 2025 priorities, includes targeted funding to build teacher capability in te reo Māori and tikanga, strengthen Māori-medium and Kaupapa Māori pathways, and expand access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects taught through a Māori-centred lens. Key parts of the package include: support for thousands of kaiako to develop confidence in te reo Māori instruction; a virtual learning network delivering STEM education in te reo Māori; new teaching texts and materials for wharekura; and the development of a Māori Studies subject for senior secondary students.

Education officials say the moves aim to deliver more meaningful, culturally grounded learning for ākonga Māori in both Māori-medium and English-medium settings, so that Māori learners are supported to succeed academically while strengthening their cultural identity.

In tandem with the funding package, the Ministry of Education has released draft curriculum content for Years 0-10 across a broad range of learning areas – including Science, Social Sciences, Health, the Arts, Learning Languages and Technology – as well as a draft of Te Mātaiaho, the updated framework for The New Zealand Curriculum. This draft is now open for nationwide consultation with schools, kura, whānau, and the wider community until at least 24 April 2026.

The consultation period gives educators and families a chance to review and provide feedback on the curriculum content, which is intended to be implemented progressively from 2026 through 2028. Under the plan, some subjects – including English, Te Reo Rangatira, Mathematics and Pāngarau – are already in use this year, while others will follow over the next two years.

However, the curriculum rollout has not been without controversy. In other arenas of education reporting, some principals and Māori education leaders have expressed concern that recent draft curriculum documents may not sufficiently reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi or Māori knowledge, and have urged deeper engagement and review to ensure Māori perspectives are truly embedded.

Despite the debate, Ministry officials and supporters argue that the changes, combined with the Māori education package, represent a significant shift towards equity, access and cultural recognition in Aotearoa’s classrooms. They emphasise that teacher support, resource development and consultation with Māori communities will be essential to successful implementation.

As the school year begins, parents, kaiako and iwi education leaders are being encouraged to participate in the consultation process to help shape how the curriculum will reflect the nation’s bicultural identity and support Māori learners – an opportunity many see as pivotal for future generations of tamariki Māori.