How the NCEA recognises skills and competency in te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy is changing. From 2024, all learners need to achieve a 20-credit co-requisite specific to these skills to be awarded any level of NCEA. The co-requisite is a one-off requirement.
In 2024, the literacy and numeracy requirements of the NCEA are formally separated out from the certificate at Levels 1-3 and the 20-credit co-requisite becomes mandatory.
From 2026, six dedicated standards for te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy will be the only method to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite.
A two-year transitional period in 2024 and 2025 provides schools, kura, and all NCEA providers with time to adjust. School-wide and curriculum-wide approaches to foundational te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy and numeracy skills can be strengthened during the transitional period.
All NCEA providers can ‘opt-in’ to use the six dedicated standards and new assessment approaches from 2023.
How the NCEA recognises skills and competency in te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy is changing. From 2024, all learners need to achieve a 20-credit co-requisite specific to these skills to be awarded any level of NCEA. The co-requisite is a one-off requirement.
In 2024, the literacy and numeracy requirements of the NCEA are formally separated out from the certificate at Levels 1-3 and the 20-credit co-requisite becomes mandatory.
From 2026, six dedicated standards for te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy will be the only method to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite.
A two-year transitional period in 2024 and 2025 provides schools, kura, and all NCEA providers with time to adjust. School-wide and curriculum-wide approaches to foundational te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy and numeracy skills can be strengthened during the transitional period.
All NCEA providers can ‘opt-in’ to use the six dedicated standards and new assessment approaches from 2023.
Recommended approach for all learners who have the appropriate level of skills
Dedicated co-requisite standards – recommended assessment option from 2023 onwards
- US32403: Demonstrate understanding of ideas and information in written texts (Literacy Reading)
- US32405: Write texts to communicate ideas and information (Literacy Writing)
- US32406: Use mathematics and statistics in a range of everyday situations (Numeracy)
- US32413: Ka mārama, ka tautohu i ngā whakaaro matua o tētahi reo ā-waha, o tētahi reo ā-tā hoki
- US32415: Ka whakamahi i te reo kia tutuki ai tētahi pūtakenga whakawhiti kōrero, tuhituhi hoki
- US32412: Te whakamahi pāngarau hei whakaoti rapanga o te ao o te ākonga (Pāngarau)
Additional standards in 2024 and 2025
There are six dedicated te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy standards. There are also additional literacy and numeracy-rich standards that can be used to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite in 2024 and 2025 only, including a sub-set of standards with usage restrictions.
| Additional assessment standards available to all students - Te Reo Matatini, Literacy, Pāngarau and Numeracy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wāhanga Ako or Learning Area | Te Reo Matatini | Literacy | Pāngarau or Numeracy |
| Te Reo Māori | Te Reo Rangatira (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.12; 3.1 to 3.9) | ||
| Learning Languages1 | Te Reo Māori (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.5; 3.1 to 3.5) | Te Reo Māori (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.5; 3.1 to 3.5) | |
| English | English (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.10; 3.1 to 3.9) | ||
| Tikanga ā-Iwi | Tikanga ā-Iwi (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Social Sciences | Commerce (1.3, 1.4) Geography (1.1, 1.3, 1.4) History (1.2, 1.3, 1.4) Religious Studies (1.1 to 1.4) Social Studies (1.1, 1.3, 1.4) | Commerce (1.1) Geography (1.2) | |
| Pūtaiao | Pūtaiao (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Science | Agricultural and Horticultural Science (1.1) Chemistry and Biology (1.3) Science (1.1, 1.4) | Physics, Earth, and Space Science (1.4) | |
| Pāngarau | Pāngarau (1.1 to 1.4, 2.15, 2.16) | ||
| Mathematics and Statistics | Mathematics and Statistics (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.14; 3.1 to 3.15) | ||
1 Te Reo Māori achievement standards can be used towards either te reo matatini or literacy.
Approved standards for NCEA Literacy are not separated into reading and writing. Students must achieve a total of 10 literacy credits.
A sub-set of additional standards with usage restrictions is available for learners or providers that meet eligibility criteria.
Additional assessment standards with usage restrictions
| Additional assessment standards with usage restrictions - Literacy, Numeracy, and Pāngarau (see "Usage restrictions and eligibility criteria" below for eligibility criteria for using these standards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Area or Domain | Te Reo Matatini | Literacy | Numeracy or Pāngarau |
| Learning Languages | New Zealand Sign Language2 (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Vagahau Niue3 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| Gagana Tokelau4 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani5 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| English for Academic Purposes6 | US 30507, 30511 | ||
| Core Generic7 | US 26622, 26624, 26625 | US 26623, 26626, 26627 | |
Dedicated co-requisite standards – recommended assessment option from 2023 onwards
- US32403: Demonstrate understanding of ideas and information in written texts (Literacy Reading)
- US32405: Write texts to communicate ideas and information (Literacy Writing)
- US32406: Use mathematics and statistics in a range of everyday situations (Numeracy)
- US32413: Ka mārama, ka tautohu i ngā whakaaro matua o tētahi reo ā-waha, o tētahi reo ā-tā hoki
- US32415: Ka whakamahi i te reo kia tutuki ai tētahi pūtakenga whakawhiti kōrero, tuhituhi hoki
- US32412: Te whakamahi pāngarau hei whakaoti rapanga o te ao o te ākonga (Pāngarau)
Additional standards in 2024 and 2025
There are six dedicated te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy standards. There are also additional literacy and numeracy-rich standards that can be used to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite in 2024 and 2025 only, including a sub-set of standards with usage restrictions.
| Additional assessment standards available to all students - Te Reo Matatini, Literacy, Pāngarau and Numeracy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wāhanga Ako or Learning Area | Te Reo Matatini | Literacy | Pāngarau or Numeracy |
| Te Reo Māori | Te Reo Rangatira (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.12; 3.1 to 3.9) | ||
| Learning Languages1 | Te Reo Māori (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.5; 3.1 to 3.5) | Te Reo Māori (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.5; 3.1 to 3.5) | |
| English | English (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.10; 3.1 to 3.9) | ||
| Tikanga ā-Iwi | Tikanga ā-Iwi (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Social Sciences | Commerce (1.3, 1.4) Geography (1.1, 1.3, 1.4) History (1.2, 1.3, 1.4) Religious Studies (1.1 to 1.4) Social Studies (1.1, 1.3, 1.4) | Commerce (1.1) Geography (1.2) | |
| Pūtaiao | Pūtaiao (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Science | Agricultural and Horticultural Science (1.1) Chemistry and Biology (1.3) Science (1.1, 1.4) | Physics, Earth, and Space Science (1.4) | |
| Pāngarau | Pāngarau (1.1 to 1.4, 2.15, 2.16) | ||
| Mathematics and Statistics | Mathematics and Statistics (1.1 to 1.4; 2.1 to 2.14; 3.1 to 3.15) | ||
1 Te Reo Māori achievement standards can be used towards either te reo matatini or literacy.
Approved standards for NCEA Literacy are not separated into reading and writing. Students must achieve a total of 10 literacy credits.
A sub-set of additional standards with usage restrictions is available for learners or providers that meet eligibility criteria.
Additional assessment standards with usage restrictions
| Additional assessment standards with usage restrictions - Literacy, Numeracy, and Pāngarau (see "Usage restrictions and eligibility criteria" below for eligibility criteria for using these standards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Area or Domain | Te Reo Matatini | Literacy | Numeracy or Pāngarau |
| Learning Languages | New Zealand Sign Language2 (1.1 to 1.4) | ||
| Vagahau Niue3 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| Gagana Tokelau4 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani5 (1.1 to 1.4) | |||
| English for Academic Purposes6 | US 30507, 30511 | ||
| Core Generic7 | US 26622, 26624, 26625 | US 26623, 26626, 26627 | |
Usage restrictions and eligibility criteria
2 Only available to deaf and hard-of-hearing students and/or students whose first language is NZSL
3 Only available to students domiciled in Niue
4 Only available to students domiciled in Tokelau
5 Only available to students domiciled in the Cook Islands
6 Only available to students with current or historic ESOL funding and international fee paying students
7 Only available for students to begin assessment while they are enrolled with tertiary education organisations (TEOs) or students enrolled with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities. The package of three standards must be completed during the academic year. They may be completed at another place of enrolment, including a mainstream school.
2 Only available to deaf and hard-of-hearing students and/or students whose first language is NZSL
3 Only available to students domiciled in Niue
4 Only available to students domiciled in Tokelau
5 Only available to students domiciled in the Cook Islands
6 Only available to students with current or historic ESOL funding and international fee paying students
7 Only available for students to begin assessment while they are enrolled with tertiary education organisations (TEOs) or students enrolled with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities. The package of three standards must be completed during the academic year. They may be completed at another place of enrolment, including a mainstream school.
Core generic standards
The sub-set of standards with usage restrictions includes the core generic standards (commonly referred to as the 266 series of standards). These standards may be used to meet the literacy, numeracy or te pāngarau requirements.
These core generic standards are:
- US26622: Write to communicate ideas for a purpose and audience
- US26624:Read texts with understanding
- US26625: Actively participate in spoken interactions
- US26623: Use number to solve problems
- US26626: Interpret statistical information for a purpose
- US26627: Use measurement to solve problems
These standards may only be used to meet the co-requisite requirement with students who are enrolled with tertiary education organisations (TEOs) or students enrolled with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities in the current academic year. These providers are able to use the specific literacy and numeracy co-requisite standards (the CAA) or use the listed core generic standards (the 266 series) with students to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite.
Students must complete the 266** package in the same academic year as having been enrolled in TEOs or with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities. If they then transfer back to a mainstream school or kura with the 266 standards partially completed, these can then be completed at their mainstream school or kura in the same academic year.
Students may also complete one 266** package at a non-mainstream school (e.g. literacy) and then return to school and do a dedicated co-requisite standard(s) to complete the other part of the co-requisite requirement (e.g. numeracy).
If a student achieves the dedicated co-requisite standards at a later date, then the standards will remain on the student’s NZ Record of Achievement but 266 credits will not be credited towards the additional 60 credits for the award of NCEA. This relates to the exclusion arrangements between these sets of standards. See the Exclusions List for more information.
Eligibility for standards with restricted usage requirements (the 266 series) will be based on ENROL data from the Ministry. Schools will need to ensure their ENROL data is in order to ensure eligibility.
Core generic standards
The sub-set of standards with usage restrictions includes the core generic standards (commonly referred to as the 266 series of standards). These standards may be used to meet the literacy, numeracy or te pāngarau requirements.
These core generic standards are:
- US26622: Write to communicate ideas for a purpose and audience
- US26624:Read texts with understanding
- US26625: Actively participate in spoken interactions
- US26623: Use number to solve problems
- US26626: Interpret statistical information for a purpose
- US26627: Use measurement to solve problems
These standards may only be used to meet the co-requisite requirement with students who are enrolled with tertiary education organisations (TEOs) or students enrolled with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities in the current academic year. These providers are able to use the specific literacy and numeracy co-requisite standards (the CAA) or use the listed core generic standards (the 266 series) with students to achieve the NCEA Co-requisite.
Students must complete the 266** package in the same academic year as having been enrolled in TEOs or with alternative education providers, activity centres, specialist schools, teen-parent units, health schools, and youth justice facilities. If they then transfer back to a mainstream school or kura with the 266 standards partially completed, these can then be completed at their mainstream school or kura in the same academic year.
Students may also complete one 266** package at a non-mainstream school (e.g. literacy) and then return to school and do a dedicated co-requisite standard(s) to complete the other part of the co-requisite requirement (e.g. numeracy).
If a student achieves the dedicated co-requisite standards at a later date, then the standards will remain on the student’s NZ Record of Achievement but 266 credits will not be credited towards the additional 60 credits for the award of NCEA. This relates to the exclusion arrangements between these sets of standards. See the Exclusions List for more information.
Eligibility for standards with restricted usage requirements (the 266 series) will be based on ENROL data from the Ministry. Schools will need to ensure their ENROL data is in order to ensure eligibility.
Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau | Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite transition arrangements 2023 - 2029
Questions and Answers
Do learners repeat the co-requisite every year?
No. The NCEA Co-requisite is a one-off requirement. Learners can achieve the co-requisite at any time throughout their NCEA journey. Learners can continue to progress through all levels of NCEA without the co-requisite, however learners must achieve the co-requisite to be awarded any NCEA level qualification.
No. The NCEA Co-requisite is a one-off requirement. Learners can achieve the co-requisite at any time throughout their NCEA journey. Learners can continue to progress through all levels of NCEA without the co-requisite, however learners must achieve the co-requisite to be awarded any NCEA level qualification.
How many times can a learner attempt the co-requisite?
There is no limit on the number of attempts. The assessments are currently carried out by NZQA, twice a year. Making sure learners are entered for the assessment when they are ready to be assessed is important. Repeated assessment attempts when a learner is not ready may negatively affect their confidence.
Read more about how to determine if a learner is ready to be assessed here.
There is no limit on the number of attempts. The assessments are currently carried out by NZQA, twice a year. Making sure learners are entered for the assessment when they are ready to be assessed is important. Repeated assessment attempts when a learner is not ready may negatively affect their confidence.
Read more about how to determine if a learner is ready to be assessed here.
Can learners mix and match additional assessment standards with the new co-requisite standards?
Learners must use only one assessment option to complete the literacy or te reo matatini component and one assessment option to complete the numeracy or pāngarau component.
For example, a learner needs to achieve both the new reading and writing standards for literacy, via the CAAs – not the reading CAA and 5 credits from assessments for approved English achievement standards. Learners can, for example, achieve their numeracy component through the dedicated numeracy standard, via the CAA and then achieve their literacy component through the approved standards for 2024-2025.
Learners must use only one assessment option to complete the literacy or te reo matatini component and one assessment option to complete the numeracy or pāngarau component.
For example, a learner needs to achieve both the new reading and writing standards for literacy, via the CAAs – not the reading CAA and 5 credits from assessments for approved English achievement standards. Learners can, for example, achieve their numeracy component through the dedicated numeracy standard, via the CAA and then achieve their literacy component through the approved standards for 2024-2025.
Are the approved standards for literacy separated into ‘reading’ and ‘writing’?
No, the additional standards approved for NCEA literacy do not distinguish between reading and writing. This would have added unnecessary complexity, particularly as the additional standards do not map neatly to the co-requisite standards for reading and writing. In preparation for the co-requisite standards becoming the only assessment option from 2026, learners are encouraged to attempt the Literacy – Reading and Literacy – Writing standards as these are specifically designed to credential NCEA foundational literacy.
No, the additional standards approved for NCEA literacy do not distinguish between reading and writing. This would have added unnecessary complexity, particularly as the additional standards do not map neatly to the co-requisite standards for reading and writing. In preparation for the co-requisite standards becoming the only assessment option from 2026, learners are encouraged to attempt the Literacy – Reading and Literacy – Writing standards as these are specifically designed to credential NCEA foundational literacy.
If a student has achieved credits towards the co-requisite in 2023, can these credits be ‘carried over’ and used in 2024?
If the credits achieved are from standards that are also on the 2024-2025 approved standards list then these can be used to count towards the co-requisite in 2024-2025. If the credits achieved are not on the approved standards list for 2024-2025 then these credits cannot be used to count towards 2024 co-requisite achievement.
If the credits achieved are from standards that are also on the 2024-2025 approved standards list then these can be used to count towards the co-requisite in 2024-2025. If the credits achieved are not on the approved standards list for 2024-2025 then these credits cannot be used to count towards 2024 co-requisite achievement.
What support is available for ākonga and kaiako?
We encourage teachers and school leaders to think about the tools and resources they are currently using to support te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy. We recognise additional support and resources, including PLD, are needed to support schools and kura through the changes. Developing a school-wide and curriculum-wide approach to support ākonga develop foundational skills is critical.
In-person support
NCEA Implementation Facilitators are available in all takiwā, supporting the seven areas of NCEA change. Alongside the NIFs, a network of specialist support is available in every takiwā. These people provide dedicated support for te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy and numeracy in secondary schools and kura.
Guidance
Pedagogical approaches and practice in the Common Practice Model, Ako Framework, and NCEA provide guidance to all kaiako for how to teach literacy, communication, and maths. This guidance supports effective teaching and learning programmes for senior secondary that strengthen the literacy and numeracy requirements of assessments as part of an NCEA qualification.
Online
Extensive teaching and learning resources are available:
We encourage teachers and school leaders to think about the tools and resources they are currently using to support te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy, and numeracy. We recognise additional support and resources, including PLD, are needed to support schools and kura through the changes. Developing a school-wide and curriculum-wide approach to support ākonga develop foundational skills is critical.
In-person support
NCEA Implementation Facilitators are available in all takiwā, supporting the seven areas of NCEA change. Alongside the NIFs, a network of specialist support is available in every takiwā. These people provide dedicated support for te reo matatini, pāngarau, literacy and numeracy in secondary schools and kura.
Guidance
Pedagogical approaches and practice in the Common Practice Model, Ako Framework, and NCEA provide guidance to all kaiako for how to teach literacy, communication, and maths. This guidance supports effective teaching and learning programmes for senior secondary that strengthen the literacy and numeracy requirements of assessments as part of an NCEA qualification.
Online
Extensive teaching and learning resources are available:
Can credits achieved through the Common Assessment Activities (CAA) be counted towards the 60 course credits required towards an NCEA qualification?
No. Credits achieved through the CAA can only be counted in support of the NCEA Co-requisite and cannot be counted as part of the 60 course credits required towards an NCEA qualification.
No. Credits achieved through the CAA can only be counted in support of the NCEA Co-requisite and cannot be counted as part of the 60 course credits required towards an NCEA qualification.
Achieving Credits
Achieving the co-requisite and 60-credit NCEA qualification
| 2013-2023 Requirements for literacy and numeracy can be achieved in a variety of subjects and courses. 'Opt-in' to new standards and assessment is encouraged | 2024-future Recommended approach using six dedicated co-requisite standards. Additional standards are available during 2024 and 2025 only. Credits used towards the co-requisite cannot be used towards the 60-credit NCEA qualification. |
Achieving the NCEA co-requisite in 2024 and 2025
Learners can achieve the co-requisite using either :
- the co-requisite standards
- credits from the additional assessment standards
- or a mixture of both (for example, the new co-requisite standards for literacy through the CAA and the list of approved standards for numeracy)
Whatever combination of standards they use, learners must achieve 10 literacy-rich and 10 numeracy-rich credits.
Credits from standards in the additional list cannot be counted twice. Credits achieved can only be used for either the 20-credit co-requisite or the 60-credit qualification.
Where standards are used to meet the co-requisite, the associated credits can however be used in calculations for course endorsement and certificate endorsement.
Achieving the co-requisite and 60-credit NCEA qualification
| 2013-2023 Requirements for literacy and numeracy can be achieved in a variety of subjects and courses. 'Opt-in' to new standards and assessment is encouraged | 2024-future Recommended approach using six dedicated co-requisite standards. Additional standards are available during 2024 and 2025 only. Credits used towards the co-requisite cannot be used towards the 60-credit NCEA qualification. |
Achieving the NCEA co-requisite in 2024 and 2025
Learners can achieve the co-requisite using either :
- the co-requisite standards
- credits from the additional assessment standards
- or a mixture of both (for example, the new co-requisite standards for literacy through the CAA and the list of approved standards for numeracy)
Whatever combination of standards they use, learners must achieve 10 literacy-rich and 10 numeracy-rich credits.
Credits from standards in the additional list cannot be counted twice. Credits achieved can only be used for either the 20-credit co-requisite or the 60-credit qualification.
Where standards are used to meet the co-requisite, the associated credits can however be used in calculations for course endorsement and certificate endorsement.
Key documents
Question and answer document updated as of September 2023. Copies of this document sent direct to schools and kura in June 2023 is superseded by this updated version.
Question and answer document updated as of September 2023. Copies of this document sent direct to schools and kura in June 2023 is superseded by this updated version.
[ File Resource ]
- Title: Summary list and Q&A – approved standards in 2024 and 2025
- Description: Additional assessment standards available to all learners, key terms, and questions & answers on transitional period –2024/25
- File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-09/Summary%20list%20and%20Q%26A%20%E2%80%93%20NCEA%20co-requisite%20approved%20standards%20in%202024-25%20June%202023%20.pdf?VersionId=wjCpx43EMKKhvNxz7SoI.Y6BrqgOk1qE
- File Extension: pdf
- File Size: 511KB
- Summary list and Q&A – approved standards in 2024 and 2025.pdf
- Description: Additional assessment standards available to all learners, key terms, and questions & answers on transitional period –2024/25
Summary list and Q&A – approved standards in 2024 and 2025
[ File Resource ]
- Title: Full list NCEA co-requisite additional standards 2024/25
- Description: Standards and usage restrictions: The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and across NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3
- File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-07/Full%20list%20of%20additional%20assessment%20standards%20for%20NCEA%20co-requisite%20in%202024%20and%202025.pdf?VersionId=KALyJ5k.UD081cAQkX68leT_J7wBesz7
- File Extension: pdf
- File Size: 292KB
- Full list NCEA co-requisite additional standards 2024/25.pdf
- Description: Standards and usage restrictions: The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and across NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3