During the Phase 1–4 consultation, EONZ developed recommended changes to the draft curriculum, outlining a clearer and more developmentally appropriate progression of knowledge and practices.

These recommendations aimed to strengthen:

• The sequencing of learning across phases

• Accessibility for primary teachers

• Delivery within local environments such as school grounds and nearby places

• Progression that does not rely on specialised equipment or contexts

The knowledge and practices proposed by EONZ included:

• Place and environmental interpretation

• Navigation and wayfinding

• Responding to dynamic conditions and weather

• Preparation and risk management

• Group roles, leadership and shared decision-making

• Wellbeing, agency and learning through challenge

These elements reflect Outdoor Education’s role in supporting safe participation, decision-making and connection to place, while providing a structure that can be implemented across a wide range of school settings.

EONZ encouraged educators to consider the following when reviewing the draft curriculum and EONZ’s proposed approach:

• How Outdoor Education was positioned within Physical Education

• Whether Outdoor Education was visible as a distinct and coherent area of learning

• How well the proposed knowledge and practices supported progression across phases

• Whether the sequencing of learning reflected how students develop in outdoor contexts

• How practical the proposed learning would be to deliver in school grounds, local environments and camps

• Whether classroom teachers could deliver the programme without relying on specialised equipment or contexts

• What opportunities or challenges the proposals presented for their school or setting

Consultation on the second group of 26 Ministry-led Phase 5 draft subjects ran from 10 June to 8 July 2026 and is now closed.

For Outdoor Education, a key concern was the lack of a clear place as a Year 11 subject. Outdoor Education was mentioned in the draft Health and Physical Education curriculum as a learning context, but the proposed structure left a significant gap between Year 10 and Year 12.

This consultation focused on the Ministry-led subject list, rather than the Outdoor Education vocational pathway through the Services Industries Skills Body. At the time of consultation, the proposals placed Outdoor Education in the vocational pathway at Years 12 and 13, without a Year 11 Ministry-led Outdoor Education subject leading into it.

EONZ encouraged teachers, schools, outdoor education providers, whānau and the wider community to submit feedback supporting a clear Year 11 Outdoor Education pathway. This information remains available for reference as part of our ongoing advocacy.

During the Phase 5 consultation, EONZ encouraged feedback supporting two key points:

1. Outdoor Education should exist as a Year 11 subject.

2. EONZ should develop a Year 11 Outdoor Education course and resources to support schools.

We also encouraged people to share their perspectives on what mattered for their learners, their kura or school, and the future of Outdoor Education in Aotearoa.

EONZ provided the following template to support feedback during the consultation. It is retained here for reference and reflects the proposals at that time.

I support Outdoor Education being included as a clear Year 11 subject in the senior secondary curriculum.

Outdoor Education provides important learning in, with and for te taiao. It supports hauora, risk management, leadership, connection to place, practical skills, environmental responsibility, teamwork, and meaningful learning beyond the classroom.

Under the current proposal, Outdoor Education appears to sit in the vocational pathway at Years 12 and 13, but there is no clear Year 11 Outdoor Education subject that leads into this. This creates a significant gap between Year 10 and Year 12.

Year 11 Outdoor Education is important because it provides a foundation for learners to develop outdoor skills, confidence, decision-making, environmental understanding and safe participation in outdoor settings.

I support EONZ developing a Year 11 Outdoor Education course and resources to support schools. EONZ has the sector knowledge, experience and connections to help develop a course that reflects quality outdoor education practice in Aotearoa.

Outdoor Education should have a strong and visible place in the senior curriculum.

Thank you for considering my feedback.

Consultation closed on 8 July 2026. The Ministry of Education’s draft Phase 5 subject information is linked below for reference.