Chapter 1 - What we stand for

The Ministry of Education’s overall mission is to raise educational achievement and reduce disparity. Our overarching outcome is to build a world-leading education system that equips all New Zealanders with the knowledge, skills and values to be successful citizens in the 21st century.

To achieve this outcome our education system needs to change. We need to make changes not only to what New Zealanders learn, but also to the way we learn.

New Zealanders need to develop critical lifelong learning and thinking skills for success in society and the knowledge economy. To be successful in the 21st century we need basic skills such as numeracy, literacy and the ability to communicate, as well as being self-starting, quick-thinking, creative, critical-thinking, problem-solving, risk-taking and decision-making individuals who can collaborate with others. People should have a positive sense of their own identity and belonging and have the skills, knowledge and values to be active participants in New Zealand society as well as global citizens. The education system must also support Māori learners to contribute as Māori to Te Ao Māori, as well as to the wider New Zealand society and world.

We need to create open and dynamic learning environments where the needs of students are at the heart of the system. The system must support teachers, students and their families to:

• recognise and work with diverse strengths, interests and abilities
• connect learning to family and community backgrounds
• create diverse learning opportunities and networks
• use diverse teaching approaches
• balance academic achievement with the development of knowledge, skills and values.

Our role

The ministry is responsible for leading the education sector to ensure the education system works for all. Our role is to make sure that government priorities are understood and followed and desired education outcomes are achieved. It is also our job to ensure the sector and the public have a strong understanding of the education system.

What we stand for

We believe New Zealand can and should have a world-leading education system. Within this, every New Zealander can and should succeed. We believe innovation and change are essential to ensure our education system continues to be world-leading. Our education system must respond to the needs of each student, as well as to economic, social and sustainable development needs.

We cannot accept failure and poor performance within the system – for every learner this must be put right.

The way we work

To achieve these aims the Ministry of Education will continue to work with the government, social sector agencies, the education system, families, whānau, communities and other stakeholders.

The ministry will continue to strive to provide high quality leadership, analysis, planning and implementation. We will focus on education and results, on the quality of our services and responsiveness, communication and productive stakeholder relationships, our commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and public sector values.

The Treaty of Waitangi is central to, and symbolic of, our national heritage, identity and future. As a government department the ministry acts in accordance with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.