Preparing for the 2026 Standards for the Teaching Profession
21 August 2026
Following consultation with the profession, the Standards for the Teaching Profession were updated to reflect how teaching has evolved and what high-quality teaching practice looks like in Aotearoa New Zealand today.
The 2026 Standards will take effect from 1 January 2027. Teachers, professional leaders, and employers should continue preparing for the move to the 2026 Standards by updating the common understanding of the Standards in their setting (Element A of the Professional Growth Cycle) and their annual summary statements (Element E).
From 1 January 2027, principals, ECE professional leaders, and their delegates will see the 2026 Standards in Hapori Matatū when making endorsement decisions. For a time, this will mean using annual summary statements that reflect both the 2017 and 2026 Standards when making endorsements.
Supporting resources
The Teaching Council has developed resources to support settings preparing for implementation through the Professional Growth Cycle. These resources include downloadable activities, exemplars, and discussion pieces.
You can also explore recordings from the 2026 Rauhuia Symposia Series, which focuses on each element of the teacher Professional Growth Cycle. New sessions will be added to the collection as they are delivered.
A new series of Professional Growth Cycle resources for principals, tumuaki, and professional leaders has been developed and will be available later this year.
