The Parents’ Alliance congratulates Labour leader Chris
Hipkins for committing tonight to keep the structured
literacy mandate in New Zealand schools.
Speaking in
Stuff’s Leaders’ Debate, Mr Hipkins called structured
literacy “a good scheme” that is “delivering results”. He
added: “It already is mandated. Of course we’re going to
continue it.”
Parents’ Alliance Chair Cameron Bagrie
said the commitment gives families certainty, whoever forms
the next government.
“Learning to read and write is
the foundation for everything else a child does at school.
Parents want certainty that the structured literacy approach
embedded in the English curriculum will continue throughout
their children’s schooling and won’t change with the
government. Tonight Chris Hipkins gave them that certainty,
and we congratulate him for it,” Mr Bagrie
said.
Structured literacy is working. Phonics is one
component of this broader approach, and the share of Year 1
children meeting expectations in their phonics check rose
from 36% to 58% during 2025. With both major parties now
behind structured literacy, teachers can plan with
confidence and build on those gains instead of bracing for
another change.
“The job isn’t finished. Around two in
three children in our most disadvantaged schools are still
below phonics expectations. Whoever forms the next
government must keep structured literacy in place and back
it with the training, resources and small-group support
those children need. This means for targeted funding support
into education aimed at this disadvantaged schools or
children. This is an investment in New Zealand’s
future”
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
Our Parents’ Guide to structured literacy can
be found here:
https://parentsalliance.nz/newsletters/structured-literacy-what-parents-need-to-know
About
the Parents’ Alliance: The Parents’ Alliance Te
Kotahitanga o ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua,
, is a
national group building a collective voice for parents,
grandparents and whānau in education.
More
information: parentsalliance.nz
