The Education Minister says there was no option to do nothing when it came to changing NCEA.

The proposed changes include replacing the qualification with a system emphasising literacy and numeracy more.

Erica Stanford told Kerre Woodham changes were already underway with Labour updating the Level 1 curriculum, so there was no option to do nothing.

She says they either had to continue rolling out Labour's plan, or look at what a better plan could be, and that's what they've done. 

Labour's education spokesperson has only just been briefed on changes to NCEA. 

Willow-Jean Prime initially ignored, then later declined repeated offers from Stanford to give feedback on the changes.  

Labour leader Chris Hipkins later said Prime was wrong to decline the offers.  

Those offers were made as far back as March, but Stanford told Woodham Prime first met with officials last week. 

She says she’s asked lots of questions, but has yet to come back with any feedback, so they’ll see where that goes. 

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