On the ground support

Ministry of Education curriculum leads, who sit within Te Poutāhū | The Curriculum Centre, are spread right across the motu.

During 2023 there was a focus on providing support around te reo matatini me te pāngarau, literacy & communication and maths, relationships and sexuality education, and mental health guidance, kōwhiti whakapae social emotional learning, and of course, the newly introduced Aotearoa New Zealand histories.  

Te Poutāhū curriculum leaders all come from the education sector, giving them first-hand experience of what schools and kura need to succeed.

To find out what makes them tick, we asked a couple of important questions: “What motivates you?” and “What are you most proud of?”

What motivates you? 

“My motivation in my work this year as a curriculum lead at the Ministry of Education stems from my love of learning, supporting school leaders and kaiako to embrace the new curriculum change and dedication to advocating for all tamariki and communities’ needs to ensure their success.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Raro, Auckland.

“The incredible resilience of many early learning teaching teams to remain focused on providing quality curriculum amidst current staffing challenges. That even when things feel tough kaiako are still prioritising opportunities to engage in new learning. Kia kaha ki tāu mahi.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Whanganui.

“My inspiration this year has been the opportunity to empower educators to create a meaningful and culturally responsive local curriculum that nurtures the wellbeing of tamariki and is responsive to the aspirations and needs of the learners, whānau, iwi, and the community.” – Early learning curriculum lead from Te Tai Runga, Wellington.

“The one thing that has inspired and motivated me this year is the belief that the refreshed curriculum will have a significant impact on our learners if delivered with passion and integrity and that starts with me!” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Raro, Whangarei.

“What we do and how we do it matters… inspiring positive pedagogical change that supports success for all ākonga.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Rotorua.  

What are you most proud of? 

“I have loved the opportunity to be engaged in conversations with the sector that ignite authentic learning experiences for our children through a localised curriculum.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Whanganui.

“It has been inspiring seeing the eyes of educators light up at the realisation that we finally have a bicultural curriculum. The potential Te Mātaiaho has to transform schooling communities is what drives me in my mahi.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Hamilton.

“Seeing places of learning grow and connect in curriculum areas, stimulating change for kaiako and ākonga, strengthening equitable outcomes for all.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Tauranga.

“Kura realising and acknowledging the uniqueness of ākonga as a gift that needs to be nurtured rather than seeing it as a disability.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Whenua, Whakatane.

“We cover the ever-changing demographic of our learners, we cover the teacher/student relationship, caregiver/student relationship, past education norms that we once experienced as students ourselves, changes in society, history and eras of norms, we cover a lot.  

“But nothing can happen without the relationship, this is key for not only the current support, but for the ongoing support that we are employed to carry on with in not only ANZH but also other subject refreshes and supporting content.” – Curriculum lead from Te Tai Raro, Auckland.

To find out more about the service, visit education.govt.nz(external link).

To connect with a curriculum lead, contact your local Ministry of Education office(external link).