[UNCLASSIFIED]
5/06/2025
Ken Robertson
[FYI request #30745 email]
Tēnā koe Ken
OIA: 1346538 – Details regarding the rewrite of the Social Sciences learning area
Thank you for your email to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry), which was received on 17 April
2025, requesting the following information:
1. Involvement of Previous Curriculum Contributors:
a.
What process was followed to determine which members of the original writing
group would take part in the rewrite?
b.
How were the two returning individuals selected?
c.
Were others invited but chose not to participate? If so, what reasons were
provided for declining?
d.
Were some members of the initial team not invited to take part in the rewrite? If
so, please explain why
Selection Process for Current Team Members:
2. Please outline how the current group (as listed on Tāhurangi) was assembled, including:
a.
Who was consulted or asked to nominate individuals for roles as writers,
contributors, or reviewers?
b.
What were the selection criteria for the writers, contributors or reviewers?
c.
How many individuals were approached in total for these positions?
d.
Of those approached, how many identified as Māori, Pacific, or came from the
primary sector?
e.
Could you provide a description of who was approached from each of these
three groups - Māori, Pacific and primary people (e.g., 'a Pacific historian', 'a
primary teacher with curriculum development experience')?
Absence of Māori, Pacific, and Primary Representatives:
3. Given the lack of representation from Māori, Pacific, and primary sector voices on the
current team, please explain:
a.
If individuals from these groups were recommended but not approached, why
that was the case.
Wellington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wel ington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
[UNCLASSIFIED]
[UNCLASSIFIED]
b.
If individuals were approached but are not part of the group, the reasons for this
(e.g., did they decline, and if so, why; or was the decision reversed by the
Ministry, and if so, why).
c.
How the Ministry is addressing and justifying the absence of these perspectives
in the writing group.
Your request has been considered under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act).
We are currently in the process of strengthening the national curriculum, which comprises The
New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. The updated curriculum is
intended to be knowledge-rich, underpinned by the science of learning, inclusive of evidence-
informed teaching practices, clear and easy to use, and internationally comparable. This revision
wil provide clearer guidance on what needs to be taught and in what sequence for each year of
schooling.
In November 2024, we reviewed our internal processes for the establishment of contributing
groups and the development of the associated learning areas within the refreshed New Zealand
Curriculum.
Our revised approach incorporates lessons learnt from that review and allows for dif erent groups
of experts to be engaged at various development stages to ensure wider representation across the
learning area. Regarding questions 1a – d, 2a and 2b, membership of the contributing groups was
decided by evaluating proposed members that were nominated by subject associations and other
experts.
The Ministry evaluated the nominees based on the following criteria:
•
Relevant curriculum knowledge.
•
Relevant content knowledge.
•
Understanding of best practice pedagogy and the science of learning.
•
Experience working in or with the NZ school sector.
•
Expertise in designing inclusive curriculum, including progressions.
•
Understanding of how to integrate key competencies, and literacy and numeracy, into
teaching and learning design.
•
Experience and expertise of NZ contexts, including the use of te reo Māori, tikanga
Māori and contexts specific to Pacific learners.
Partnership with the sector is at the heart of our curriculum development process. At regular stages
we wil work closely with different groups of subject matter experts to gather insights and
perspectives. This feedback wil inform the next phases of work. With the help of expert review
groups and broader consultation, we wil shape and finalise the curriculum content. We are
continually working to ensure the appropriate technical knowledge and expertise are present at
each stage.
In respect of questions 2d, 2e, 3a and 3b, this information is withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the
Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons.
[UNCLASSIFIED]
[UNCLASSIFIED]
As required under section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered the public interest in releasing the
information withheld. I do not consider that the public interest considerations favouring the release
of this information are sufficient to outweigh the need to withhold it at this time.
In respect of 2c, we received 14 nominations for the social sciences contributing group.
In respect of 3c, we have several different internal groups that provide a variety of functions when it
comes to developing the curriculum. Among them is the Perspectives Group, which is explicitly
tasked with considering the curriculum from a Māori and Pasifika view.
More information relating to the current makeup of various Contributor Groups, the process for
joining a Review Group, and key dates is available on our website:
tahurangi.education.govt.nz/our-story
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details wil be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Derek Lyons
Programme Director
Te Mahau | Te Poutāhū (Curriculum Centre)
[UNCLASSIFIED]
