Dear Ministry of Education,

Tēnā koutou,

I am writing to make a request under the Official Information Act 1982.

The refreshed New Zealand Curriculum uses four capability titles consistently across all learning areas at Phase 5. However, the capability framework at Phase 5 is structured differently from the capability frameworks used at Phases 1–4.

I request the following information relating specifically to the design rationale for this structural difference:

1. Any advice, briefings, or reports that explain why the capability framework at Phase 5 was designed differently from the frameworks used at Phases 1–4.

2. Any documents that record the curriculum design decisions behind this structural difference, including whether the Phase 5 framework and the Phases 1–4 frameworks were developed separately, by different teams, or at different points in time.

3. Any advice or documentation that explains whether the four Phase 5 capability titles were always intended as a consistent cross-curriculum framework from the outset of the curriculum refresh, or whether this consistency emerged during the development process.

I am happy to receive this information in electronic format. If any part of this request is refused, I ask that you identify which part and the grounds for refusal under the OIA, and provide the remaining information.

Yours faithfully,

CMC