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NCEA Outdoor Education
Proposed Changes
Tagline: Bring Outdoor Ed Back In
Primary hashtag: #BringOutdoorEdBackIn
Supporting: #OutdoorEducationMatters #NatureBuildsLeaders
The Government has proposed major changes to NCEA that could remove Outdoor Education from the senior curriculum subject list. This shift would narrow opportunities for students, reduce pathways for teachers and schools, and undervalue the unique skills and benefits Outdoor Education provides. Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) is the national organisation supporting quality outdoor learning.
Keep Outdoor Education in Our Senior Curriculum Outdoor Education (OE) is not "PE outdoors". It’s a rigorous subject that builds leadership, resilience, and real‑world skills and it’s at risk of being removed from the general senior subject list.
Make your submission by 5pm, 15th September 2025
The Ministry of Education has proposed a new qualifications pathway that omits Outdoor Education from the general senior subject list. Under the current proposal, OE would only exist as a vocational option controlled by an Industry Skills Body (final scope not decided until 2026). That risks fewer schools offering OE, reduced pathways to tertiary study, and the loss of a uniquely New Zealand subject.
Academic & rigorous: OE has its own distinct body of knowledge, it's not just activities outdoors.
Engagement & equity: OE keeps diverse learners engaged and in school.
Strengthens knowledge-rich learning: Active, experiential education boosts focus, memory, and problem-solving, lifting achievement across maths, reading, and writing.
Workforce & pathways: Builds leadership, teamwork, risk management, problem‑solving, and opens doors to tourism, conservation, education, environmental management and more.
Identity & Care for Nature: Strengthens connection to our land and waters, part of who we are as New Zealanders.
Keep Outdoor Education on the general senior subject list.
Use these simple steps today and share with your networks.
We recommend emailing the Ministry directly rather than using their online form.
Use our downloadable Templates – includes key points + tips to personalise your submission.
Select the Templates most suitable for you: Parents, Students, Teachers, Principals, Sector.
Email to: nceaconsultation@education.govt.nz (Bonus: send a copy OR a separate letter of support to us ce@eonz.org.nz )
Subject line: Submission: Keep Outdoor Education on the General Subject List.
Deadline: 5pm, 15th September 2025.
There are two ways you can share your experience:
Option A: Written story Fill out our form (button below) and submit. We’ll compile these stories as an appendix to the EONZ submission. Bonus: you can also copy and paste what you write here and share it as a submission, too.
Option B: Self‑take video Your voice is powerful. Record a 30–90 second clip telling us why Outdoor Education matters to you.
Post it on social media with #BringOutdoorEdBackIn
Tag @EducationOutdoorsNZ, Bonus: tag your local MP, and the Minister of Education
Email the link to nceaconsultation@education.govt.nz and copy in your local MP
We’ll also share selected clips through our own channels (so don’t forget the hashtag!).
Filming prompts:
“Outdoor Ed matters because…”
“Thanks to Outdoor Ed, I…”
“We can’t lose Outdoor Ed because…”
“Outdoor Ed gave me…”
“This is who I am...what I do..., and this is why OE is important to me...”
Tip: Keep it authentic, film on your phone, end with #BringOutdoorEdBackIn and tag @EducationOutdoorsNZ. Bonus: tag your local MP, Erica Stanford, or Chris Luxon.
Download the Full Filming Guidelines below for tips on lighting, sound, and sharing.
Our petition is in the approval stage, and we will share the link here when it's live (as well as on our socials).
Let MPs know OE must stay on the general list.
List of MP's below. Click on your MP and you will see their email address.
Email format is generally: firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz
Tip: Share a short personal example. Keep it respectful and clear.
Share, Like, comment and tag our posts to reach more people, especially before the deadline of 15th September.
Follow: @EducationOutdoorsNZ (Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn)
Use: #BringOutdoorEdBackIn + #OutdoorEducationMatters + #EducationOutdoorsNZ
Post a 30‑sec video, use the #BringOutdoorEdBackIn and tag us. Bonus if you tag your MP.
Make a submission using our parent template.
Share yours or your child’s story via the Form (written) or a video post.
Share, post & tag using #BringOutdoorEdBackIn. (EONZ Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Sign Petition
Write to your MP
Make a submission in your own words.
Share your story either by filling in the form or filming a 10–30 sec clip.
Post with #BringOutdoorEdBackIn, tag @EducationOutdoorsNZ and your MP.
Make a submission (teacher‑focused template).
Talk to your principal and request a formal support letter (Principal template).
Gather students to make a class video (reel) using our quick guide. (Ensure permission given)
Sign Petition and share with teachers and students
Share your examples of achievement, wellbeing, and re‑engagement on our Stories form.
Make an organisational submission and share sector impacts. Send a letterhead signed copy to EONZ.
Activate your networks (clubs, centres, employers).
Share your story / case studies via the Form (written) or a video post.
Share EONZ social posts
Post & tag using #BringOutdoorEdBackIn & @educationoutdoorsnz.
Write a signed letter of support on school letterhead (template below).
Email the letter to EONZ fiona@eonz.org.nz (to support our submission) AND email it seperately to nceaconsultation@education.govt.nz as your own submission, before 12th September.
Optional: include brief data on student engagement/achievement in OE at your school.
Another optional: see if your school board will support your letter with their signature alongside.
Submission guidance and templates: Parents, Students, Teachers, Principals, External Providers/Organisations/Sector.
Supporting Information: PDF document with evidence, data, and messages to strengthen your submission.
Story collection: Microsoft Form link (written) + filming guide (Video).
Media kit: press release, quote bank, logos, photos.
MP list: find your MP and click their name for their email address.
PPTA Website: has excellent resources explaining the overarching proposal to replace NCEA. Check it out here.
MoE Website: has information regarding the overarching proposal to replace NCEA. Check it out here.
For years, OE teachers and students had to make do with PE Achievement Standards, forcing compromises that didn’t reflect the true depth of Outdoor Education. After strong advocacy, a set of dedicated OE standards was developed in 2022, capturing the rich body of knowledge this subject holds.
This video gives a glimpse into what those standards would have offered and what we stand to lose under the government's proposal at the current NCEA level.
Is OE just PE outdoors? No. OE has distinct content, assessment, and academic outcomes, plus strong links to environmental stewardship and future pathways.
Will my child still get credits? Under the proposal, keeping OE off the general list risks fewer supported options and could reduce access. Retaining OE on the general list protects choice and pathways.
Will keeping OE on the list cost more? No, there is no new bureaucracy required to keep OE on the list. It’s a low‑cost, high‑impact decision that supports attendance, skills, and our economy. It's very simple, just put Outdoor Education on the List.
Where is this list you mention?
The MoE has not yet released the list publicly, and we are not sure if they plan to do this before or after the consultation closes. There are other subjects not on the list, but we don't know which ones they are.