Refreshed social sciences
Te ao tangata | social sciences is the first learning area to be refreshed as part of Te Mātaiaho | the refreshed New Zealand curriculum.
Social sciences is structured in the Understand, Know, Do elements and progress outcomes for each phase of learning.
Guidance and resources
A range of guidance and resources are being developed to support the implementation of the refreshed te ao tangata | social sciences learning area. These resources complement the ANZH resources available at Aotearoa NZ's Histories – Resources.
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Ata and Oho within Social sciences | Te ao tangata
This resource provides guidance and suggested activities for using the Ata and Oho resources for exploring social and emotional learning through the refreshed te ao tangata | social sciences learning area. -
Exploring Our Place – Painting Stories
This colourful and engaging big book is for sharing with ākonga in years 1–3. Teacher support materials include activities to help ākonga find out more and make connections with people, events, and changes in their own rohe.
Keep an eye on this page for updates and additional resources!
Social sciences and Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories
The new Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories (ANZH) content (released earlier this year) is integrated into the refreshed te ao tangata | social sciences learning area.
There is a requirement for schools and kura to implement the ANZH content at the beginning of 2023. However, the requirement for implementation of the rest of the refreshed curriculum is the beginning of 2027. This means the social sciences content is available for you to explore in the meantime.
Together, Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories within the refreshed social sciences learning area encourage ākonga to be critical citizens – learning about the past to understand the present and prepare for the future.

Social sciences and Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories (PDF, 361 kB)
Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories and social sciences 2007
The diagram below helps you understand, embed, and sustain Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories, alongside the existing social sciences national curriculum statement.
