New Zealand Government Plans to Replace NCEA System: 'The System Is Being Exploited'

In a major announcement on August 4, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford revealed a sweeping reform plan to replace the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), a cornerstone of New Zealand’s secondary education system for over two decades.

The current NCEA system, which has been in place since 2002, will be replaced in its entirety. Under the new proposal, Level 1 (the foundational level) will be replaced with a basic literacy and numeracy assessment for Year 11 students. Levels 2 and 3 will be replaced with two new qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate of Education (for Year 12 students) and the Advanced Certificate (for Year 13 students).

Students will be required to complete five subjects and pass at least four to obtain a certificate. The new system will use a 100-point scale, with grades from A to E, aiming to make academic performance more transparent for parents and students alike.

During an interview with RNZ’s Nine to Noon program, Education Minister Erica Stanford expressed concerns about the current NCEA system. She said, “There are too many ways to get extra credits. I can see the system being exploited… for example, just by participating in a group activity or filling out a form, students can gain credits.”

Stanford also criticized the previous Labour government’s reforms to NCEA Level 1, calling them ineffective. She noted that students were still “gathering credits in a haphazard way.” However, she emphasized that some aspects of the current system, such as not ranking students against each other but comparing their performance to national standards, will be retained in the new framework.

The reforms are expected to be implemented gradually, with the new certificates being applied to Year 12 students in 2029 and Year 13 students in 2030. Public consultation on the proposal will begin in the coming months.

Luxon stated that evidence shows the current NCEA system is inconsistent and has failed to meet student needs over time. The new system will align with industry needs, offering clearer pathways to vocational training, higher education, and direct entry into the workforce.

Key changes under the reform include:

• Replacing NCEA Level 1 with a literacy and numeracy assessment for Year 11 students.
• Introducing the New Zealand Certificate of Education (for Year 12) and the Advanced Certificate (for Year 13).
• Requiring students to take five subjects and pass at least four to gain a certificate.
• Using a 100-point scale with A to E grades for clarity.
• Collaborating with industry to develop vocational pathways and skills.
• Implementing a new national curriculum for Years 9 to 13 to improve consistency.

Stanford emphasized that the reform aims to open doors for all young people, regardless of whether they pursue trade work, higher education, or direct entry into the workforce.

The decision marks a significant departure from the previous government’s 2018/19 reforms, which aimed to modernize NCEA Level 1 while retaining it as a standalone qualification for students who do not wish to continue to Levels 2 and 3.

According to the Ministry of Education, nearly $158 million has been spent on NCEA reform planning, initial consultations, and the development of Level 1 and most of Level 2 courses since July 2021, before the plan was halted.

Over the past decade, approximately 9% of students have only attained NCEA Level 1 and left the system without continuing further. The Education Review Office has previously noted that the revised Level 1 course still requires further reform or should be abolished.

The government’s move has sparked both support and debate, with many educators and parents calling for a more rigorous and equitable system that better prepares students for the future.