The Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining Board (PPCB) stands firmly alongside the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), as the voice for the sector, in its decision to consult widely with the sector on the curriculum.
Principals and school leaders are deeply committed to curriculum improvement and higher standards for our learners. However, the recent pace, process, and lack of genuine consultation have eroded confidence in the rollout and compromised trust between the profession, the Minister and Ministry of Education.
The sector has reached a point of change fatigue. The relentless introduction of major reforms, particularly during Term 4, has placed untenable pressure on schools already managing the demands of teaching, learning, and community wellbeing. Principals report growing difficulty in maintaining morale, making sense of the constant changes, and finding time to meaningfully engage with new materials.
While PPCB supports curriculum advancement, we cannot endorse a process that:
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Disregards substantive feedback from sector representatives;
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Restricts professional dialogue through non-disclosure agreements;
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Undermines the credibility of consultation; and
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Fails to reflect inclusion, wellbeing, and culturally sustaining practice at its core.
Our call is simple: pause, listen, and collaborate.
Effective curriculum reform must be built on transparency, trust, and time—values essential to leading meaningful and sustainable change in education.
We urge the Minister and Ministry to work with NZPF:
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Clarify who authored and edited the curriculum documents;
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Allow genuine opportunity for critique and feedback;
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Communicate clearly the implementation timelines, assessment expectations, and supports available.
Our shared goal remains unchanged: a curriculum that reflects the voices of Aotearoa New Zealand, supports teacher professionalism, and best serves our tamariki. We seek not confrontation, but collaboration so that together we can deliver the high quality, inclusive education every learner deserves.
Mark Ellis
Head of Union PPCB
027 3477 982