In England we had our Curriculum Review report published towards the end of 2025, but New Zealand did something similar a while back: a reminder that school curricula are political in nature - a government will want to put its stamp on the curriculum even though it may lose power within a few years, and the results of their changes cause issues for years to come. Work will continue through 2026 to develop a new National Curriculum.
The detail of the proposed changes has not been popular with everyone.
The full draft is here for years 0-10. It is open for consultation currently.
Geography is in the Social Sciences section.
Social Sciences: history covers New Zealand and global history, exploring how people, places, and ideas connect and evolve over time.Students will learn about early explorers, settlers, and migration stories, the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and key civilisations and figures that have shaped societies and decision-making. New strands include civics and society and economic activity (which introduces financial education to build practical money and economic skills).
Geography remains central, deepening an understanding of people and place.
I wonder whether there is a cautionary tale there for the next stage of our own curriculum review.
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