Ministry of Education NZ

“My greatest hope was simple. I wanted our young people to know that their language mattered, that their culture mattered and that they should never be ashamed of who they are," says Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u.

For decades, Fane has championed one powerful belief through classrooms, churches and communities across New Zealand: when a young person speaks Lea Faka-Tonga, they are carrying far more than words. They are carrying their identity, their culture and the voices of generations before them.

That belief began at home where her parents and elders taught her that language is the keeper of stories, identity and Tongan values including fakaʻapaʻapa (respect), tauhi vā (maintaining relationships), loto-to (humility) and mamahiʻi meʻa (commitment and service).

At a time when Pacific languages had limited recognition and resources within education, Fane joined others advocating for change. She helped develop Lea Faka-Tonga Achievement Standards and establish Tongan as a recognised NCEA subject, creating pathways for students to have their language and knowledge valued academically.

Her service has extended far beyond the classroom including 20 years supporting generations of students through the Tonga Stage at ASB Polyfest.

Now appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Fane sees the honour not as hers alone but as recognition of the families, educators, churches, communities and young people who continue carrying Lea Faka-Tonga forward.

“Speak your language. Teach it to your children. Sing it. Write it. Share it. Be proud of it. Because as long as our people continue to speak Lea Faka-Tonga, the heart and spirit of Tonga will continue to live.”

Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga | Tonga Language Week 🌺

MATAVAI
This story is from Matavai, our newsletter for Pacific families and caregivers with children in education.

Read the full issue: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=3454e4d3eaa0870c745ed02cc&id=41c94d45e7

Subscribe to receive the issue free to your inbox each month: https://govt.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3454e4d3eaa0870c745ed02cc&id=39a77666ed

Did you know Online GP Care is now free for tamariki aged 13 and under?

If your child is feeling unwell, and you can’t see your usual GP, Health New Zealand's Online GP Care service can help families access healthcare advice from home.

What it offers ⬇️
- Online GP consultations by video or phone
- Available 24/7 through participating providers
- Intended for non-urgent health concerns.

If you're enrolled with a GP, consultation notes can be shared with your regular doctor to help maintain continuity of care.

Learn more and book on the Health NZ website: healthnz.govt.nz/onlineGP

If you're unsure whether your child should attend school, stay home, or if you need to seek health advice, visit: https://www.education.govt.nz/news/how-decide-if-child-well-enough-be-school-or-early-learning

This year, Te Kura Ākau Taitoka – the University of Otago College of Education celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Find out about the origin of teacher education in Aotearoa New Zealand in the latest Education Gazette: https://gazette.education.govt.nz/articles/dunedin-celebrates-150-years-of-teacher-education/

Caption: Story time at the Helen Deem Centre for Pre-School Education (1950s). Hocken Digital Collections.

Have you heard the Tongan phrase 'Mālō e ako'?

It means "well done for learning" or "thank you for learning" and celebrates the journey of learning itself.

This Tongan Language Week, why not try using 'Mālō e ako' at home or in the classroom?

It's a simple but powerful way to encourage tamariki and remind them that learning isn't just about getting the right answer. It's about trying, growing and discovering something new every day 🌟

The updated Science and Social Sciences learning areas for the Years 0-10 curriculum are now available.

You can access the new content on Tāhūrangi today:
🔗 Science: https://bit.ly/436qhTO
🔗 Social Sciences: https://bit.ly/4qLHKel

These learning areas are part of the updated Years | Tau 0-10 curriculum. The remaining content will be published in stages, with the full curriculum available by 9 September 2026.

Upcoming publication dates:
- 26 August: Pūtaiao and Pūmanawa Tangata
- 9 September: Remaining learning areas and wāhanga ako

You can learn more about the Years 0-10 National Curriculum here: https://bit.ly/4gqpUdz

Teachers and kaiako 📢 Looking for ways to celebrate Maths Week 2026 in your classroom?

Maths Week 2026 runs from Monday 10th – Friday 14th August and is a great way to help make maths meaningful, fun and accessible for every learner.

Designed for Years 1-11, Maths Week provides free, curriculum-aligned resources including quizzes, worksheets, financial capability activities and online games.

Register now on the Maths Week website to access the full range of free teacher resources:
➡️ https://www.mathsweek.co.nz/

For Liisa Wharepapa, learning te reo Māori has been more than learning a language, it has been a journey home – a journey to reconnect with her whakapapa, strengthen her identity and ensure her tamariki grow up knowing the language, stories and values of her tīpuna.

Raised in Te Kaha and a former student of what is now Te Kura o Te Whānau a Apanui, Liisa and her whānau returned home after nearly a decade living in Australia so her tamariki could grow up connected to their whakapapa, whenua and culture.

In 2016, Liisa enrolled her tamariki at Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui and later became a Pouārahi on the kura board. Inspired by the kura’s vision of full immersion in te reo Māori, she and several fellow board members made the decision to become ākonga themselves, enrolling in Te Wānanga o Aotearoa reo programmes, He Pī Ka Pao and He Pī Ka Rere.

"Together, we chose to become ākonga ourselves. If we wanted our kura, our uri and our whānau to embrace te reo, then we needed to lead by example. It has become much more than learning a language, it's about reclaiming our reo, our tikanga and our identity,” says Liisa.

For Liisa, learning te reo Māori isn’t about reaching a destination but making a lifelong commitment to herself, her whānau and future generations.

“If you want to invest in your children's future, one of the greatest gifts you can give them is the language of their tīpuna. Don't wait for the perfect time, just start.”

This story is from Kia Manawaroa, the Ministry's pānui for whānau Māori.

➡️ Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4wErkak
➡️ Subscribe to receive Kia Manawaroa direct to your inbox: https://bit.ly/3BrIUBf

Who do you think needs more sleep? Sloths, or primary school-aged children?
Hint: Find the answer in the comments 🤫

Sleep is one of the most important things for a child’s health, wellbeing and learning.

Primary school-aged children need around 10–11 hours of sleep every night to help their brains learn, grow and remember new information. Children who don't get enough sleep may find it harder to concentrate, manage emotions and learn at school.

Every family is different and finding what works can take time. If you're finding it tricky, there are resources and support available to help.

➡️ Sleep with Kip brings together over 20 years of child sleep research from Professor Harriet Hiscock, with free resources, a sleep quiz, podcast and practical strategies for families. Head to the website: https://sleepwithkip.com/strategies/

➡️ Good Nights is a New Zealand programme led by the University of Canterbury that provides research-backed advice and practical tools to help children and families get a better night's sleep. Head to the website: https://waioratamariki.org.nz/sleep/programmes/caregivers

➡️ Find more information and resources on the KidsHealth website: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/normal-sleep-primary-school-aged-children

Nine new industry-led subjects are being introduced into the National Curriculum for Years | Tau 12–13:

➡️ Applied Intelligent Systems
➡️ Construction and Built Environment
➡️ Energy and Infrastructure
➡️ Engineering Technology
➡️ Food and Fibre Systems
➡️ Health Services and Care
➡️ Hospitality Food and Beverage
➡️ Next-Gen Manufacturing
➡️ Tourism

These subjects are designed to align with real-world practice, with a focus on technical and transferable skills for specific industries.

They will be piloted in 2028, with Year 12 students able to access them as part of their New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) qualification in 2029.

To find out more about these subjects, head to our website: https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-industry-led-subjects-announced