Eastern Bay Schools Begin Two-Year Teaching Pilot

A group of schools in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is launching a two-year education pilot today, aimed at reshaping how teaching is delivered across New Zealand classrooms.

The initiative, known as Te Aka Mātauranga, brings together 12 schools, along with regional education organisations, to trial a consistent, evidence-based approach to teaching from primary through to secondary levels.

The programme begins in Whakatāne on Monday, 20 April 2026 and will run through to 2027, involving around 440 teachers and 4,300 students.

Project lead Simon Akroyd said the goal is to create a distinctly local model of teaching while drawing on international research.

"Our goal is to develop a specific NZ pedagogy that is evidence-based while remaining deeply responsive to our local students and teachers."

The pilot centres on High-Impact Teaching Practices (HITP), an approach grounded in the research of Barak Rosenshine, which focuses on how students learn and which teaching methods are most effective.

Principal of Trident High School, Mikaere October, said the programme would also integrate culturally responsive approaches.

"Te Aka Mātauranga aims to blend HITP approaches with those such as Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy to enhance outcomes for all students, including our large Māori population."

The initiative has backing from the Ministry of Education and was developed following engagement with Education Minister Erica Stanford.

A key feature of the programme is its focus on consistency across year levels, something Akroyd say has not been attempted at this scale in New Zealand previously.

"By committing to a consistent way of teaching from primary through to secondary school, we are ensuring our students have the best possible opportunities for success," he said.

An intensive week of training begins today, with hundreds of teachers gathering for professional development led by Australian education expert Lorraine Hammond.

More than 650 teachers are expected to attend a mass training session, followed by smaller workshops and specialist coaching sessions throughout the week. Educators from across the country, including Kerikeri and Wellington, are also attending, alongside Ministry officials.

Akroyd said this pilot is the first of its kind in Aotearoa, and a “genuine coup” for Eastern Bay of Plenty education.

"High Impact Teaching Practices work across all age groups, all subjects, and are equally effective in any language, such as Te Reo Māori or English,” he said.

The programme involves institutions including Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and Eastbay REAP, with a focus on ensuring the model works across both English and te reo Māori contexts.