Quality Relationships and Sexuality Education is evidence-based. It teaches rangatahi factual information — supporting them to form their own ideas, beliefs, and values about the following topics: 

• The emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and biological aspects of growing up 
• How to foster healthy relationships 
• Safer sex and sexual relationships 
• Sexuality and gender diversity 
• Sexual health 

Quality Relationships and Sexuality Education explores and honours the values of a student’s whānau, communities, cultures, and whakapapa.

Relationships and Sexuality Education is required learning in the New Zealand Curriculum — through Years 1-10.

Relationships and Sexuality Education is one of many ways that rangatahi will learn about relationships and sexuality. School-based Relationships and Sexuality Education is designed to support and supplement kōrero at home and within communities. 

Relationships and Sexuality Education is taught through years 1-10.

Schools have flexibility around the content and delivery of their Relationships and Sexuality Education. The way Relationships and Sexuality Education is taught is determined by the school that’s teaching it. The Ministry of Education provides Guidelines to support schools with their programme.

Schools must consult their community every two years on the implementation of the health education curriculum — including their Relationships and Sexuality Education delivery.

Quality Relationships and Sexuality Education celebrates the diversity of rangatahi, their whānau, and their communities. Quality Relationships and Sexuality Education supports rangatahi of all genders, sexual orientations, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, and religions.  

Relationships and Sexuality Education topics taught at school

Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga 

We create comprehensive Relationships and Sexuality Education programmes and resources to be used in schools and educational settings. Our programmes and resources support teachers and educators to deliver quality Relationships and Sexuality Education.

Our most popular programme is Navigating the Journey: Relationships and Sexuality Education for Years 1-10. This Relationships and Sexuality Education programme is designed to meet rangatahi at their stage of development — and build on their previous year’s learning. Our programme aligns with the Ministry of Education guidance and is used in almost 50% of schools across Aotearoa. 

Another popular Relationships and Sexuality Education programme that we provide is The Colours of Sexuality — designed for rangatahi with learning disabilities. 

View courses and workshops

Lots of us didn’t talk with our parents or whānau about sexuality and relationships. You might not have had quality Relationships and Sexuality Education at your school when you were younger. Maybe Relationships and Sexuality Education feels a bit embarrassing, or even shameful, to talk about. 

It’s a good idea to think about your own values and feelings when it comes to relationships and sexuality. What were you told when you were your child’s age? What do you wish you had been taught about? 

Talking with your child about relationships and sexuality gives them the opportunity to talk to an adult that they trust about this really important stuff. 

It’s good to know how Relationships and Sexuality Education is being taught at your child’s school. For example: 

• Is a set programme being taught — such as Navigating the Journey: Relationships and Sexuality Education?
• Is the school designing and delivering their own Relationships and Sexuality Education content?  
• When is the school delivering their Relationships and Sexuality Education sessions? 

Your child might want to talk to you about the stuff they’re learning at school. Remember: you don’t have to be an expert on Relationships and Sexuality Education — you don’t have to have all the answers.   

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from part, or all, of Relationships and Sexuality Education, should they choose to.   

• Encourages safer sex 
• Helps prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) by encouraging condom and contraceptive use 
• Rangatahi are less likely to take sexual risks — such as unprotected sex 
• Increases the use of contraception and condoms for first-time sexual experiences 

• Teaches young children about bodily autonomy and communication 
• Rangatahi are more likely to tell an adult that they trust if they are sexually abused 

•  Encourages rangatahi to seek help when they need it 

• Addresses the root causes and cultures of sexual violence 
• Effectively reduces rape culture 

• Supports rangatahi to think about the impact of technology and how this affects their sense of self and self-worth 
• Helps them to understand the impact of taking and sharing nudes or sexual images 
• Increases awareness of the impact of pornography on relationships and sexuality, sexual identity, and sense of self 

• Queer positive RSE makes rangatahi feel safer and experience lower levels of bullying 

• More likely to stay in education, training, or employment 
• Improved mental health and wellbeing 
• Remain physically healthy 
• Improved mental health and physical wellbeing 
• Seeking help and support when needed for all aspects of their lives