Rollout
The NCEA → NZCE timeline.
The transition is staggered from 2026 to 2030. Year 9 students in 2026 will be the first cohort to graduate fully under the new system.
- 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.
By year level (in 2026)
- Year 13 now: finishes NCEA Level 3 in 2026. Unchanged.
- Year 12 now: NCEA Level 2 in 2026, Level 3 in 2027. Unchanged.
- Year 11 now:NCEA Level 1 in 2026, then Levels 2 & 3. Unchanged.
- Year 10 now: Year 11 in 2027 under the existing NCEA Level 1 framework, then either NCEA L2/L3 or transitions — details still being finalised.
- Year 9 now: First cohort. Year 11 in 2028 under the new curriculum with the Foundational Award, NZCE in 2029, NZACE in 2030.
More: If you’re already in NCEA · For parents