The Principals' Federation is urging cross-party support for an initiative it says will end disruptive education reform.

It's calling for the establishment of a permanent and independent Curriculum and Assessment Council to oversee changes in the sector.

NZPF president Jason Miles said education was a political football and reform should be driven by experts, not politicians.

"We've got a situation where political ideologies are leading the curriculum reform. There's no plan for the future of curriculum reform in New Zealand."

He said successive governments had been responsible for the "upheaval".

The previous government took too long to consult on a unique New Zealand curriculum, Miles said, while the current government was pushing through changes inspired by overseas models too quickly.

"We understand that change needs to be made in curricula," he said, but urged a long-term, collaborative approach, informed by research.

"Our proposed council would operate across electoral cycles and be shaped by genuine partnership with iwi and Māori education partners from the outset.

"It would bring rigour, professional expertise, and a more deliberate process to curriculum and assessment changes before they reach classrooms," Miles said.

He said education ministers would continue to set policy direction and have final decision-making authority.

Miles called for cross-party support for the initiative and wanted to see it included in coalition agreements in the upcoming election.

"New Zealand's education system [has] had no shortage of reform. What it has lacked is the stability required to make change work," he said.

Labour spokesperson for education Ginny Andersen said she supported taking the politics out of education but stopped short of supporting the council.

Education Minister Erica Stanford has been approached for comment.