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CMC
[FYI request #34013 email]
9 April 2026
Tēnā koe CMC
OIA: [GEMS-47183] – Information regarding the updated process for generating
the draft NZC curriculum
Thank you for your email of 10 March 2026 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry)
requesting the following information:
I am writing to make a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) for
documents relating to the curriculum development process and, specifically, any
update or revision to the process previously outlined in Education Report 1342593.
By way of background: a previous OIA response (reference 1354085, concerning the
Position Paper for the Arts Curriculum and the Position Paper for the Science
Curriculum) disclosed that the position papers were not used in the generation of the
draft curriculum material. This along with the notes in the released Education Report
1342593 indicates that a new process was followed. I am seeking information to
understand the updated process and associated timelines that are now in place.
Information Requested:
I request all education reports, briefings, ministerial advice, or other documents
provided to the Minister of Education between 1 February 2025 and 31 October 2025
that:
1. advise the Minister of any new or revised process governing the development
of the national curriculum (including any replacement of or departure from the
process described in Education Report 1342593);
2. set out updated timelines, milestones, or key dates associated with curriculum
development;
3. explain why, or confirm that, the position papers (Arts Curriculum and Science
Curriculum, as disclosed under OIA reference 1354085) were not used in the
generation of the draft curriculum material; and/or describe any alternative
inputs, processes, or methodologies that replaced or supplemented the
position paper process in the development of draft curriculum material.
Wel ington – National Office, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140
Phone: +64 4 463 8000
education.govt.nz
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For the purposes of this request, “documents” includes but is not limited to education
reports, briefing notes, ministerial advisories, Cabinet papers, correspondence,
emails, and meeting minutes, whether in draft or final form, that were prepared by or
on behalf of the Ministry of Education and provided to, or intended for, the Minister.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
The Ministry needs to extend the timeframe for responding to your request pursuant
to section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as the consultations necessary to make a decision on
the request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the
original time limit. You can now expect to receive a response to your request on or
before 8 May 2026, which is an extension of 20 working days. Please note Anzac
Day (27 April 2026) is not a working day for the purposes of the Act.
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
Cindy McDonald
Principal Advisor, Government, Executive and Ministerial Services
Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate
education.govt.nz
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