New Zealand Association for Environmental Education

Secondary Educators: It's time to give feedback on the first group of Yr 11 - 13 curriculum drafts, with consultation closing on June 15th. This group includes the Social Sciences, Sciences, and Health Education, along with English and Maths subjects.

We know it's a lot to take in, so we've recorded a webinar and written some supporting information to help guide you through the process. We have focused on concepts and skills that are vital for Education for Sustainability learning, across the subjects where we expect to see this learning integrated (since EfS will not be a separate subject anymore).

Please share with others and set aside some time this weekend to look at one of the drafts and complete the form, or upload your feedback as a document. We are particularly concerned about Yr 11 Science, Yr 11 - 13 Health Education and some of the senior sciences and social sciences that do not meaningfully integrate te ao Māori, sustainability, climate change, or opportunities for students to take action.

Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ Education Outdoors New Zealand Aotearoa Social Studies Educators' Network Science Learning Hub

News, Updates and Submissions This page includes a summary from our recent Curriculum update newsletter and also our webinar on June 3rd, focused on the changes in senior secondary schools.

Awesome PLD still on offer

Read the latest issue of Te Whakatika using the link below. We’re also looking for ideas for the next issue, if you have a story to share.

Need something good to read this long weekend?

Te Whakatika Issue 46 has just landed.

This edition takes us from wellbeing and place, climate action and rangatahi voice, through to Outdoor Classrooms, EOTC good practice, environmental studies, equity, practical intelligence, and creating spaces where all young people can belong.

One of our favourite things about Te Whakatika is the mix of voices. Researchers, teachers, school leaders, environmental educators, outdoor educators, and practitioners all sharing what they're learning, questioning, and trying in their own contexts.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue.

Put the jug on, find a comfy chair (or a log in the bush), and enjoy.

Read it here: https://eonzpublic.blob.core.windows.net/online/Te%20Whakatika%20Autumn%2026%20Issue%2046.pdf?sv=2023-11-03&st=2026-05-28T21%3A31%3A08Z&se=2099-01-12T00%3A00%3A00Z&sr=b&sp=r&sig=DeQWgaz1d5%2BeyGr%2FPymiM7rlwVhFFDNIo2xJUFwEzH8%3D

New Zealand Association for Environmental Education

Join us next week for an online session to help unpack the most recent changes and announcements for secondary education, including support for the current Phase 5 (Yr 11 - 13) curriculum. Visit the webpage to find out more and then register to receive the Zoom link or recording next week.

Subjects included in this current round of consultation (closing June 15th) include: Sciences, social sciences and health (we won't have time to look at maths and English, but these are also open for feedback). We'll also talk about the process for reviewing the remaining drafts over the next few months (PE, technology, arts).

Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ Education Outdoors New Zealand Science Learning Hub

NZAEE Webinar: Secondary Curriculum and Assessment | by NZAEE NZAEE Webinar: Secondary Curriculum and Assessment will take place Jun 03, 2026. Register here to get more information and join the movement.

A great read as you head into the weekend 🌱

Nature Connection PLD Awakens Teachers Inner Child and Fosters Empathy Teachers from Waikato Enviroschools came together for a Teacher Re-Energiser: Nature Connection PLD. The day gave teachers space to slow down, step outside, and deepen their connection with nature.

** Reminder: Last few days to send curriculum feedback **
Consultation on the draft Te Mātaiaho framework and draft curriculum Yr 0 - 10 for Science, Social Science, Health & PE, Technology, Arts, Languages AND Te Marautanga o Aotearoa drafts all close this Friday April 24th at 5pm.

We've updated the page below to include a copy of our NZAEE feedback on the draft framework, and guidance about how to submit your own feedback. Sorry that we've run out of time to share detailed guidance for each learning area, but the timeframes have been too tight. The page below includes a link to our recorded webinar, which gives a broad overview of our analysis and some key points for each learning area.

If you're short on time you can just send an email to:
[email protected]

Choose a few key points that are important and relevant to you - it doesn't have to be detailed or perfect!

News, Updates and Submissions This document aims to support teachers, school leaders and environmental educators with the public consultation on the most recent draft Te Mātaiaho curriculum framework, with feedback closing on April 24th, 2026.

Lots of ideas for Conservation Week from our friends at Science Learning Hub!

Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa 🌱Conservation Week 2026

👉Event listing: https://bit.ly/conservation-week-2026

Check out our event listing to find out what's happening this , you will also find links to lots of teaching and learning resources (all free) to use in your classroom.

New Zealand Association for Environmental Education New Zealand Association of Science Educators

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland educators and parents, this one's for you! As part of Eco Fest you can head along for a fun evening session on Wednesday 22nd with Lisa Wriley, who has updated the Conservation board game for Aotearoa NZ. Resources and ideas for teachers have been developed by two local teachers, and you can add your feedback and ideas as part of the session too.

Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ Sustainable Schools Auckland

CONSERVATION Game Play for Teachers and Home-school Parents | EcoFest Join us to test the draft CONSERVATION game Teacher's Guide, play the game and learn some te reo Māori that will be part of the te ao Māori KAITIAKI version available soon. The CONSERVATION game is a fun way to…

This is the original Mātaitipu Vision for Young People, as written by young people that was included in the 2023 Te Mātaiaho draft.

THIS VISION HAS BEEN REPLACED in the 2025 version that is out for consultation until April 24th. Please take a few minutes to watch the video and acknowledge the contribution and generosity of the rangatahi involved with this work. We can still honour their mahi by advocating for a curriculum that reflects this aspirational vision. Please submit your feedback on the draft curriculum framework before the consultation closes.

We have created a guidance document to help you submit, which is linked below in the comments. It includes a comparison of the 2023 vision with the current 2025 draft, so you can clearly see what has changed and been removed.

Vision for Young People This is "Vision for Young People" by Ministry of Education on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Conference Announcement!
We're excited to share more details about Tātaiao, our national conference taking place in October in Tāmaki Makaurau. Click on the website link below to read about our conference name, theme and location and how you can contribute.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS is OPEN until May 8th. The conference link below has more information and the online form link. Please share it with others!

https://www.nzaee.org.nz/conference-information/2026

Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ Sustainable Schools Auckland Garden to Table Environment Hubs Aotearoa Education Outdoors New Zealand Science Learning Hub Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust Seaweek