Expanded NZ Curriculum to Support 12,000 Students With Complex Needs

The initiative, led by Education Minister Erica Stanford, will roll out from Term 1, 2026, marking a New Zealand first in special education.

A major step toward inclusive education is underway as the Government announces the launch of the Expanded New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) — a new resource designed to support around 12,000 students with high and complex additional learning needs. The initiative, led by Education Minister Erica Stanford, will roll out from Term 1, 2026, marking a New Zealand first in special education.

A Transformative Step in Inclusive Learning

Minister Stanford said the Expanded NZC will close a long-standing gap in the national education system. Previously, teachers and specialists working with students with complex needs had to manually adapt the existing national curriculum to make it relevant and accessible for their learners.

“In the past, expert teachers and specialists in special education have had to adapt the national curriculum themselves so their students can learn from it meaningfully. They will now have a resource that is clear about what to teach each year of school and the evidence-informed practices to use,” she said.

The new curriculum expansion aims to ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility, providing schools with detailed guidance on what learning looks like for each year level, along with strategies proven to work in diverse educational settings.

Developed in Partnership With Experts

The resource has been co-developed with the Specialist Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SEPANZ), ensuring it reflects real classroom experiences and the voices of those working directly with learners who have additional needs.

This collaborative approach has resulted in a framework that is curriculum-aligned, evidence-based, and adaptable across different educational contexts — including satellite classes, special schools, and mainstream settings.

“As we roll out the new knowledge curriculum, it’s critical we’re providing support to children with high and complex learning needs so they get the best from it too,” said Ms. Stanford.

Clear Guidance in Core Learning Areas

The Expanded NZC focuses primarily on English and Mathematics, outlining specific learning progressions and teaching methods designed for students who require modified learning approaches. It includes:

• Detailed teaching sequences tailored to students’ cognitive and communication levels.

• Comprehensive guidance to ensure each learner’s progress and achievement can be meaningfully tracked.

• Evidence-informed practices drawn from both national and international research on special education.

• Flexible learning models adaptable to classroom, home, or community-based learning contexts.

By providing a structured yet flexible framework, the Expanded NZC ensures that specialist teachers have the tools to deliver quality education that aligns with the national standards while meeting individual learning goals.

Ensuring Equity Across All Classrooms

Minister Stanford highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Government’s broader goal of ensuring equitable education for every child, regardless of their learning needs or background.

“It’s essential that all Kiwi kids are supported to progress and achieve,” she said. “Parents can be assured this evidence-informed resource will help students with complex needs. We want to ensure they are supported and set up for lifelong success.”

The new curriculum resource is expected to empower teachers, ease administrative burdens, and improve consistency across the country’s specialist education network. It will also allow educators to focus more on personalized teaching rather than curriculum modification.

A Broader Vision for Education Reform

The Expanded NZC complements the Government’s rollout of a new knowledge-rich national curriculum, which seeks to raise achievement and strengthen foundational learning for all students. Ensuring that children with complex needs are fully included in this shift, Ms. Stanford said, is a key part of building a “truly inclusive education system.”

Education sector leaders have welcomed the move, describing it as a “historic advancement” in recognizing the learning rights of students who have often been left on the margins of mainstream education policy.

As schools prepare for the 2026 rollout, the Ministry of Education will begin supporting training and implementation workshops for specialist educators, ensuring that every teacher working with complex learners has the tools, confidence, and guidance to deliver meaningful learning outcomes.