Last year the Ministry of Education developed a draft framework in preparation for the refresh of the Health and Physical Education curriculum (RSE – Relationships and Sexuality Education). The consultation period is now ending.
The draft curriculum is an improvement – but we would still encourage you to check it and give feedback this week via the short survey if you wish to.
*NOTE – The consultation period ends this Friday, 24 April 2026.
Be sure to check the age groups that your children are in, and ask yourself whether you want teachers and even outside groups to be talking to your children about these subjects. The Ministry needs to hear from you – the parent – because you can be sure that radical groups like InsideOut and Family Planning will be trying to push this framework to its radical extreme.
YEARS 0-3 (young primary) Phase 1
YEARS 4-6 (older primary) Phase 2
YEARS 7-8 (intermediate) Phase 3
YEARS 9-10 (junior secondary) Phase 4
The new draft framework is definitely an improvement on what was set during the Ardern government, so credit should be given to both the Minister of Education & National MP Erika Stanford and also NZ First’s Winston Peters for listening to the concerns of parents & families.
However there are still some RED FLAGS:
*Parents may still be concerned about the content of the sex education which begins in year 8. Despite the explicit opening message that sexual activity under the age of 16 is illegal, the curriculum then discusses “Communication and respect create safe and positive experiences within intimate and sexual relationships” and “there are a range of sexual activities in which consenting adults experience and express their sexuality.” Why is this being taught to underage children aged 12-13 years old?
* The year 9 (13-14 y/o) curriculum says: “Sexual development includes forming values, understanding consent, and knowing how to access confidential advice and support for sexual health when needed.” Note the age of the child and the secrecy. What is the role of parents in all of this? Interestingly, the module on the myth of “safer sex practices” has been delayed to year 10.
* The year 10 (14-15 y/o) curriculum says “Various forms of contraception (including abstinence, barrier methods, and hormonal options) can prevent unplanned pregnancies. Barrier methods can also reduce the risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). STIs can be transmitted through sexual contact and can affect multiple body systems. Access to confidential sexual health services (including testing, treatment, and counselling) can help to maintain personal health and relationships.” Secrecy continues to be encouraged.
* There is a notable absence around discussion of commitment, marriage, faithfulness etc. The word family is mentioned only once in each age bracket. In fact, the only use of the word abstinence (which the overwhelming (and growing) majority of the students will be choosing, according to all the surveys) is only mentioned once – to year 10 – in the context of being a form of contraception!
* Most notably, there is still this Guide to LGBTQIA+ Students on a Ministry of Education-affiliated site. This is the site which, amongst other things, tells teachers to keep a child’s gender identity issues secret from his or her parents, by allowing the child to adopt a new persona whilst at school – including the use of preferred “pronouns”. There is no requirement to inform the parents that there are identity issues/gender dysphoria. They specifically advise teachers to ask young people: “Check with the student about the name and/or pronouns they want to be used in the records that parents or caregivers may see, as they might be different to the ones they use at school.” [our emphasis added]. They also have a page titled “Plan sexuality and gender education years 1-8 (i.e. primary and intermediate schools).
As we’ve said, you can give your feedback via the short survey, before the consultation period ends this Friday, 24 April 2026.
