Te Whāriki 2017 Compliance Guide for NZ ECE Services
Last updated: May 2026
This guide explains how to meet your obligations under Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa (2017) — the national early childhood curriculum. It covers the five strands, learning outcomes, documentation requirements, and how the Education Review Office (ERO) assesses your implementation. Use this alongside your service’s curriculum policies.
Key rule: Every licensed ECE service in New Zealand must implement a curriculum based on Te Whāriki (Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, regulation 43). The curriculum must be consistent with the principles, strands, and goals of Te Whāriki.
1. The Four Principles
Te Whāriki is built on four principles that underpin everything you do:
- Whakamana – Empowerment: children learn and grow through their own agency.
- Kotahitanga – Holistic development: all aspects of a child’s learning are interconnected.
- Whānau Tangata – Family and community: children’s learning is enriched when families are involved.
- Ngā Hononga – Relationships: responsive, reciprocal relationships are central to learning.
Your curriculum documentation must show how these principles are woven into daily practice.
2. The Five Strands and Learning Outcomes
Each strand has goals and learning outcomes that guide your planning and assessment.
| Strand | Focus | Key Learning Outcome |
|---|
| Mana Atua – Well-being | Health, safety, emotional well-being | Children have a sense of well-being and are confident in their own bodies and emotions. |
| Mana Whenua – Belonging | Connections to place, people, routines | Children know they belong and have a place in the world. |
| Mana Tangata – Contribution | Equity, inclusion, learning with others | Children learn that their contributions are valued and they can work with others. |
| Mana Reo – Communication | Language, symbols, literacy, te reo Māori | Children develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including in te reo Māori. |
| Mana Aotūroa – Exploration | Play, inquiry, problem-solving | Children explore their environment with curiosity and confidence. |
Warning: Do not treat the strands as separate subjects. Te Whāriki requires an integrated approach. Your documentation must show how learning outcomes across strands are interwoven in children’s everyday experiences.
3. Documentation Requirements
Your service must maintain the following records to demonstrate compliance:
- Curriculum plan – a written statement showing how you implement Te Whāriki, including how you respond to children’s interests, strengths, and needs.
- Assessment for learning – regular observations, learning stories, or other records that show children’s progress against the learning outcomes. These must be shared with families.
- Planning records – evidence of how you use assessment information to plan next steps for individuals and groups.
- Self-review records – documented evaluations of your curriculum practice, including how you involve families and whānau.
- Te reo Māori integration – evidence that te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are woven into the curriculum, not just token gestures.
All documentation must be accessible to ERO during a review.
4. How ERO Assesses Implementation
During a review, ERO evaluators look for evidence that your curriculum is:
- Consistent with Te Whāriki – they check your philosophy, planning, and practice align with the principles and strands.
- Responsive to children – they observe whether children are engaged, have choices, and are supported in their learning.
- Inclusive – they look for how you support children with diverse needs, cultures, and abilities.
- Partnership with families – they review how you involve whānau in assessment and decision-making.
- Self-review – they evaluate how well you reflect on and improve your curriculum.
ERO uses the Te Whāriki Implementation Framework to rate your service as Well placed, Requiring development, or Not well placed. A key indicator is whether children’s learning outcomes are visible in practice, not just in paperwork.
Tip: ERO expects to see learning stories or equivalent that clearly link to the five strands and show progression over time. Avoid generic templates — personalise each child’s record.
5. Practical Steps for Your Team
- Review your curriculum statement – ensure it explicitly references Te Whāriki 2017 and the four principles.
- Map your planning – use a simple matrix to show how each child’s learning story connects to the strands and learning outcomes.
- Involve whānau – regularly ask families for their aspirations and include their voice in assessment.
- Embed te reo Māori – use waiata, karakia, and everyday phrases. Document how you do this.
- Conduct regular self-review – use the ERO evaluation indicators to check your own practice.
For a full compliance checklist and ready-to-use templates, log in to your ShiftScript portal.
6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Treating Te Whāriki as a checklist – it’s a framework, not a tick-box. ERO looks for depth, not just coverage.
- Ignoring the principles – if your documentation only lists strands without showing how you empower children or involve families, you’ll be marked down.
- Inconsistent te reo Māori – sporadic use is not enough. Show how te reo is part of everyday routines.
- No evidence of self-review – you must be able to show how you evaluate and improve your curriculum.
Warning: If ERO finds your curriculum is not consistent with Te Whāriki, your service may receive a Not well placed rating, which can lead to a compliance notice and potential loss of licence. Take this seriously.
7. Resources
- Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa (2017) – Ministry of Education
- Te Whāriki Implementation Framework – ERO (2023)
- Kei Tua o te Pae – assessment for learning exemplars
For personalised support, contact your local Ministry of Education regional office or use the ShiftScript helpdesk.
Need to streamline your compliance?
ShiftScript provides NZ ECE services with automated curriculum planning, assessment templates, and ERO-ready documentation. Log in to your portal or request a demo.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five strands of Te Whāriki?
The five strands are: Mana Atua (Well-being), Mana Whenua (Belonging), Mana Tangata (Contribution), Mana Reo (Communication), and Mana Aotūroa (Exploration). Each strand has goals and learning outcomes that guide curriculum planning and assessment.
What documentation does ERO expect for Te Whāriki compliance?
ERO expects a written curriculum plan, assessment for learning records (e.g., learning stories), planning records showing next steps, self-review documentation, and evidence of te reo Māori integration. All records must be accessible during a review.
How does ERO assess Te Whāriki implementation?
ERO uses the Te Whāriki Implementation Framework to evaluate whether your curriculum is consistent with the principles and strands, responsive to children, inclusive, and involves families. They rate services as Well placed, Requiring development, or Not well placed based on evidence observed in practice and documentation.
Can I use a checklist to implement Te Whāriki?
No. Te Whāriki is a framework that requires an integrated, responsive approach. Using a simple checklist will not satisfy ERO, as they look for depth, personalisation, and evidence of the principles in action.
What happens if my service is not compliant with Te Whāriki?
If ERO finds your curriculum is not consistent with Te Whāriki, your service may receive a 'Not well placed' rating. This can lead to a compliance notice and, in serious cases, loss of licence. It is essential to address any gaps promptly.