Mathematics Resources for Primary Schools

Mathematics has a reputation for being restrictive and boring. However, when we provide students with opportunities to see the creativity and fun in maths, they are more likely to approach it with enthusiasm.

Essential Resources maths range has teaching resources to encourage students to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. We want to help teachers show their students that maths does have meaning and relevance. Our resources link maths to te reo Māori, stories, and the outdoors.

Our new Maths Practice series is here to support teachers navigating the new maths curriculum. Each book follows the structure of the curriculum and provides ready-to-use practice across number and strand, so students consolidate new learning before moving on. It sits alongside our Year 1 to Year 8 worksheets, task cards and at-home workbooks, while No Nonsense Number supports students struggling to grasp numeracy skills.

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What maths resources support the new NZ maths curriculum?

Our new Maths Practice series is built specifically for the new Mathematics and Statistics Learning Area (Te Mātaiaho). Each book works systematically through the Year 4 teaching sequence, organised by curriculum strand, so every practice activity aligns with what students are expected to learn. The series covers number structure, rounding and algebra, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, and geometry and statistics.

Alongside Maths Practice, our most popular primary maths resources include No Nonsense Number by Jackie Andrews, Jude Callaghan and Suzi de Gouveia, which supports students struggling to grasp numeracy concepts, Algebra for Everyone by Vaneeta Manners, which gives all students a foundation of algebra, and Maths Problems and Investigations by Greg Purcell, for applying maths knowledge and skills in real-life situations.

How do I teach the new maths curriculum in primary classes?

Start with the teaching sequence. The new maths curriculum sets out what to teach at each year level, so the key is following the sequence and giving students enough practice to consolidate new learning before moving on.

  • Use curriculum-aligned practice - Students need mileage to embed new learning. Structured, sequenced practice activities like those in Maths Practice build fluency and confidence over time, rather than one-off tasks that do not connect.

  • Cover number and strand - Number remains core, but the new curriculum expects all year-level content to be taught, including measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics. Working strand by strand keeps curriculum coverage balanced.

  • Connect maths concepts to real-life experiences - Open-ended problems and maths investigations are effective ways of doing this, as is using everyday objects to illustrate maths concepts.

  • Ask students to explain their thinking - When students show the why behind their answers, they think critically and can apply the theory the next time they encounter a similar problem.

For a breakdown of the six strands, the shift to phases of learning, and where to start, read our guide, The new NZ Maths Curriculum: What every teacher needs to know.

What makes Essential Resources mathematics resources so great?

Our maths teaching resources are written by fellow New Zealand primary school teachers and experts, so they align with the curriculum and the realities of your classroom.

  1. Our resources do the heavy lifting. The new curriculum asks teachers to interpret updated achievement objectives, sequence content and create resources. Series like Maths Practice break down the curriculum and provide ready-to-use practice activities, so you do not have to build it all yourself.

  2. Our maths resources are specific. Our resources are made for the New Zealand Curriculum, with a range to meet the needs of all primary school years, from Year 1 to Year 8.

  3. Our primary maths resources are inclusive. No Nonsense Number is designed for students needing more maths support, Maths Problem Solving for Higher Achieving Students is for students who need more of a challenge, and Dyscalculia Matters clarifies where a child with dyscalculia needs to start their maths learning journey.