Labour says it will set up body to oversee NZ's school curriculum

Labour says it will establish an independent body to oversee New Zealand's curriculum and assessment system, if elected. The policy, announced this afternoon, would introduce an "Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment", or ICCA. Labour education spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the council would "provide expert leadership of New Zealand’s curriculum and assessment system". If elected, Labour would establish an interim expert group within three months to provide immediate advice on curriculum and assessment. Labour would pause the rollout of curriculum changes made by the current Government for a year that hadn't been implemented. Work on maths and English that was already underway would continue, with support provided to schools. The current NCEA system, which the Government was <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/16/government-reveals-structure-for-post-ncea-school-qualifications/">working to replace</a>, would remain in place and "unchanged" until 2029, so the ICCA's advice could be considered and any future changes could be properly planned and phased in.