Not sure who to contact? From 1 September, contact ERO for reviews, concerns and regulatory matters.
News
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko David Ferguson ahau, Te Tumu Whakarae hou o Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga. Nōku te hōnore, mā runga i te maha ake o ngā aheitanga ki te mahi tahi ā tōna wā.
Nō reira tēnā tātau, tēnā tatou, tēnā tātou katoa.
My name is David Ferguson. I am the new Chief Review Officer at the Education Review Office.
I’m incredibly grateful and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve our education sector. I’ve spent my whole career working in education, with more than 30 years in schools. I have previously been a principal in Auckland for 15 years and have been involved in several education governance groups nationally and internationally.
Our work as teachers and educators matters, and I am looking forward to doing everything I can in this role to support the great work that you all do.
This newsletter looks a little different. It brings together updates for early learning services, school leaders, and others in the education sector. Going forward, we will keep in touch more often with clear, relevant information about our work with you.
Our review teams are back in schools, kura and early learning services this term. I am looking forward to joining some of these teams and seeing some of the great work that goes on in your schools, kura and early learning services.
AI in Schools. Today, we released our latest national report, Ready or not: How are schools responding to Artificial Intelligence?
This is New Zealand’s biggest survey of the education sector on AI to date. This timely report explores how leaders, teachers and students are using AI, and the emerging benefits, challenges, and impacts they’re finding.
The report is available, along with two practical insights guides for school leaders and teachers, on our website.
Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable term three.
Ngā mihi nui
David
News for Early Learning Services & Kōhungahunga
ERO is preparing for new regulatory responsibilities
The Government has confirmed that the transfer of regulatory functions from the Ministry of Education to ERO will take effect on 1 September 2026.
The transfer of regulatory responsibilities will include early childhood education, kōhungahunga, private schools and school hostels from the Ministry of Education. This follows the recent passing of the Education and Training Amendment Act (System Reform).
For now, services and schools should keep contacting the Ministry of Education as before.
Ray McMillan has joined ERO as Deputy Chief Executive Regulation and Early Childhood Education. Ray will also become the Director of Regulation on the transfer of the regulatory functions.
Many of you will already know Ray through his work in education regulation. He brings strong regulatory leadership experience working with communities and organisations. His expertise will help ERO build a fair, clear, and practical approach to regulation as we take on these new responsibilities.
Where to find updates
We will be providing regular updates on the regulations page on the ERO website. This page brings together information about ERO’s incoming regulatory responsibilities.
News for Schools
School reports
We welcome the many conversations around our new school reports. We want to clarify that our new school reports reflect ERO’s usual approach to school reviews (Te Ara Huarau). The way we work with schools to understand context, form judgements and identify improvement priorities has not changed.
To help answer your questions, we have published a set of frequently asked questions about our reports on our website. If you have more questions that we can help with, please email us at ricomms@ero.govt.nz or reach out to our team.
Termly online hui to answer your questions about reviews
School leaders are invited to join our termly online hui to ask questions about ERO’s review process and what to expect during an upcoming review. The next hui is on Friday 14 August, 10am - 11am. You are welcome to ask questions or come along for a general discussion.
Please email ricomms@ero.govt.nz to register.
Updates to our tools
ERO has updated two improvement tools that you can use to identify next improvement steps, and to monitor progress at your school.
The School Improvement Framework (SIF) and Raupapa Ako Framework (RAF) have been updated to reflect the Education and Training Amendment Act 2025, curriculum changes, and the updated Teaching Standards.
You can find the tools here:
School Improvement Framework | Education Review Office
Raupapa Ako Framework (RAF) | Education Review Office
USEFUL LINKS
Schools
About our reports: Reporting | Education Review Office
Explainer for schools and boards about ERO’s new school reports: ERO School Reports - Explainer for schools and boards
How ERO reviews schools: Te Ara Huarau: the school review process | Education Review Office
Early learning
Incoming regulatory responsibilities: ERO's Incoming Regulatory Responsibilities | Education Review Office
Information for parents
A guide to ERO’s school reviews and reports for parents and whānau: Guide to Schools: for parents and whānau
Career opportunities at ERO
As ERO prepares to take on expanded responsibilities for the regulation of early childhood education, we're building our new Regulation and Early Childhood Education team and are seeking experienced professionals to join us.
Education Review Office - Careers
For more information about ERO and our mahi please visit ero.govt.nz
To be added to our mailing list for this newsletter, please email us at ricomms@ero.govt.nz
