Making Language Learning a Core Requirement in the New Zealand Curriculum - Recommendations from a National Forum

Embargoed until 6am, Monday 1 September 2025

Language learning in New Zealand is in crisis — enrolments are falling, teachers are underutilised, and our future capability is at risk.

In response, the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust partnered with the University of Auckland and the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers to co-host the national forum Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future.

Out of that forum came a clear call: languages make us smarter and more connected, urgent action is needed to halt the decline, and the current curriculum review offers a rare chance to put languages at the heart of education in New Zealand.

The resulting report sets out practical steps to turn this vision into reality.

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LANGUAGE LEARNING
FOR NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE

What We Heard, Learned, and Shared at the Forum

On 17 July 2025, the Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future Forum brought together leaders from education, academia, government and business to reignite national conversations about the value of second language learning in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why we organised the Forum
With the national curriculum review underway, now is the time to ensure all young New Zealanders have access to the benefits of language learning — from stronger cognitive development and improved literacy, to greater cultural understanding and global readiness.

A successful and energising day
Hosted in partnership with the University of Auckland and the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers, the Forum featured keynote presentations from global experts, alongside rich discussions with New Zealand educational experts, practitioners and business leaders. The event drew strong attendance and media coverage, and a real momentum for change.

What’s next

We are now developing a set of recommendations for the Minister of Education based on insights shared at the Forum — advocating for language learning to become a compulsory element of the refreshed curriculum.

Explore media coverage from the Forum below