Mapping

Updated 23 December 2025: Structured Literacy has been mandated to be used in schools (Y0-8) across New Zealand since the start of 2025. So there is probably no need for our map any longer. However, we have decided to keep this map as a historical record of the uptake of Structured Literacy in the years preceding the change in policy from the Ministry of Education.

We started collating our map in 2021. As of July 2023, we estimated that around 25% of all schools in New Zealand had made or were in the process of making this change. See our blog post on this for more details.
Some schools had made the change across the whole school, while others started with a class or two as a trial, or using for level 2 or 3 intervention sessions first, before rolling out further.

We have collated a map of schools that say they are on the structured literacy journey. This is a self-selected list so please check directly with any school as to their precise approach and extent of structured literacy instruction across the school.

Key to map

PINK/RED - Already following a structured literacy approach school wide

PURPLE - Planning to implement school wide

BLUE - Partially implemented to some degree, for example, for Tier 3 students or for junior school.

Hanganga Reo Matatini kura are shown with a star icon using the same colour coding. These are also grouped together at the end of the list for convenience (rather than under their respective region).

Intermediate and Secondary Schools (or Composite Schools) are shown with a square within circle icon. Same colour coding.

Disclaimer

This list is SELF SELECTED AND WE DO NOT GUARANTEE IT IS CORRECT OR UP-TO-DATE. Please check with each school directly for further information and take a look at some guidance on our website to understand whether a school is truly following a structured literacy approach.
If you want to report a school on the list because you do not feel it meets the criteria to be considered a 'structured literacy' school, please contact us at liftingliteracyaotearoa@gmail.com.

You may also like to take a look at a map of schools using the iDeaL approach to structured literacy compiled by Learning Matters.