The big picture
NCEA changes — what's actually happening.
NCEA is being replaced between 2028 and 2030. Here's the full set of changes, who's affected, and what to do about it.
NCEA Level 1 removed. Foundational Award introduced.
NZCE launches.
NZACE launches.
Today's Year 9s are the first all-new-system cohort.
The seven things changing
- 1
NCEA Level 1 is gone
From 2028, Year 11 no longer sits NCEA Level 1. Instead they study a deeper curriculum with three compulsory subjects — English (or Te Reo Rangatira), Maths, and Science — and work toward a separate Foundational Award covering literacy and numeracy.
- 2
New Year 12 qualification — NZCE
From 2029, Year 12 students sit the New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE). Five subjects per year, pass three, A+ to E grading.
- 3
New Year 13 qualification — NZACE
From 2030, Year 13 students sit the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE). Same structure, capstone level. Used for University Entrance.
- 4
One grade per subject, A+ to E
The new grading scale replaces per-standard Achieved / Merit / Excellence. Every subject ends with a single letter grade. C or higher is a pass.
- 5
Exam in every subject
Every NZCE and NZACE subject includes both internal assessments (3–4 per year) and a final external exam. No subject is internal-only.
- 6
Five subjects, pass three
Students must take a minimum of five subjects per year and pass at least three of them at C or higher to earn the qualification.
- 7
Compulsory subjects + new subjects
From 2028, Year 11 has three compulsory subjects (English/Te Reo Rangatira, Maths, Science). The Government is also adding new subjects: Civics & Philosophy, Advanced Maths, Journalism, Building, Outdoor Education, and Primary Industries. See the full subject list →
Year-by-year rollout
When each NCEA change takes effect.
- 2026
New curriculum finalised
Senior secondary curriculum locked in. Assessment exemplars released. Roadshow for school leaders kicks off in June.
- 2027
Prep year
Teachers train on the new curriculum and assessment. No student qualifications change yet.
- 2028
Year 11 changes start
NCEA Level 1 is removed. Year 11 students take the new curriculum with compulsory English (or Te Reo Rangatira), Maths, and Science. The Foundational Award (literacy + numeracy) launches.
- 2029
NZCE launches (Year 12)
Year 12 students sit the new New Zealand Certificate of Education. Five subjects, A+ to E grading, internal + external assessment in every subject.
- 2030
NZACE launches (Year 13)
Year 13 students sit the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education. Full new system in place. The first cohort (today's Year 9s) graduates with NZACE.
Why NCEA is changing
The Government’s case for change: NCEA had become “too fragmented” — students could collect 80 credits across loosely related standards without showing mastery of any whole subject. Universities and employers struggled to read a credit-heavy transcript.
The 2025 review surfaced years of concern about literacy and numeracy standards (only ~34% of students passed the writing standard in 2022 pilots), inconsistency between schools, and the “pick and mix” credit-chase culture. The new system aims for clarity: whole subjects, one letter grade, one transcript anyone can read.
Common questions
What are the NCEA changes?
NCEA is being replaced with a new subject-based system. From 2028, Year 11 students sit a Foundational Award (literacy and numeracy) plus compulsory English, Maths, and Science. From 2029, Year 12 students sit NZCE (New Zealand Certificate of Education). From 2030, Year 13 sit NZACE (New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education).
When do the NCEA changes start?
Rollout is staggered from 2028 to 2030. NCEA Level 1 is removed in 2028. Year 12 NZCE launches in 2029. Year 13 NZACE launches in 2030.
Do the NCEA changes affect me?
Only if you're in Year 9 or younger in 2026. Anyone already in Year 10 or above finishes school under NCEA. No student is forced to switch systems mid-school.
Are the NCEA changes confirmed?
Yes. Cabinet agreed the structure in March 2026, and PM Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford confirmed the qualification names, grading scale, and rollout dates on 16 May 2026.
What's the new grading scale under the NCEA changes?
A six-point scale from A+ to E for every subject. C or higher is a pass. This replaces the per-standard Achieved / Merit / Excellence system.
Why is NCEA being changed?
The Government argues NCEA had become 'too fragmented' and 'too easy to game' — students could collect 80 credits without mastering any subject. The new system requires whole-subject passes in at least three of five subjects, with an exam component in every subject.