Every child in New Zealand deserves the chance to succeed, no matter where they live or what their background is. That’s what drives our Government’s focus on lifting achievement and closing the equity gap in our education, so every Kiwi kid gets the skills they need to do well in life.

As Term 2 is underway, children across the country are getting the basics done right – with an hour each of reading, writing, and maths every day. With a structured approach in every classroom, they’re receiving consistent, high-quality education no matter where they go to school – giving every child the chance to succeed.

To help students stay engaged, we’ve banned cell phones in schools, creating a focused environment free from distractions. At the same time, we’re making sure they have the tools they need to do well, with over 836,000 maths workbooks and textbooks delivered to kids up to age 12, along with guidebooks to support their teachers.
Financial education is such an important life skill that helps people manage their money with confidence. From 2027 all kids will learn about money at school – how to budget, save, invest and understand things like loans and insurance. Ensuring young Kiwis understand their finances means the next generation can make the best, most informed decisions for a secure future and ultimately, a better life.

Of course, great teaching is at the heart of great learning. When our teachers are well-supported and well-prepared, our students benefit the most. That’s why nearly 20,000 teachers across the country have had top-quality training in structured literacy – giving educators the tools and strategies they need to support students learn and thrive.
New Zealand’s teachers have really stepped up to the challenge, helping us deliver a world-leading education system, bringing real change into the classroom. We truly value all the hard work teachers do, so to support them we have removed the cost barrier for registration and practising certificates – making things a bit easier for them to focus on what they do best.
We’re supporting parents too. We’ve launched a new Parent Portal to make it easier to understand what’s being taught in reading, writing, and maths – with more subjects on the way. It includes practical, easy-to-use resources so parents can confidently support learning at home, whether it’s helping with homework or just staying in the loop.

We’re also making sure our school buildings match the ambition we have for our kids. In 2024 alone, we delivered 137 more classrooms than the year before by using smarter, repeatable designs – cutting costs by 28% while delivering warm, dry, fit-for-purpose learning spaces.

Our plan is clear, our focus is sharp, and the results are starting to show. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to unlock opportunity, grow our economy, and shape the kind of New Zealand we all want to live in.

I would like to extend a massive thank you to our incredible principals, teachers, and support staff for your hard work, dedication and passion – helping to set every Kiwi kid up for success. -Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand