Budget 2025 Learning Support Rollout Begins as Students Return to Class

The Government's major Budget 2025 learning support investment is now being delivered in classrooms across New Zealand, with new services rolling out as students return for Term 1.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says the rollout marks a significant step in ensuring every child gets the support they need to succeed at school.

"Budget 2025 invested $746.7 million to strengthen learning support—the largest boost in a generation," Ms Stanford said. "From today, new services and specialist support are in place that will benefit hundreds of thousands of students across the country."

Early Identification and Timely Support

The reforms are designed to identify learning needs earlier and provide support sooner, helping lift achievement and reduce the risk of students falling behind.

"Early identification and timely support are critical," Ms Stanford said. "These changes ensure students and teachers have access to the right help, at the right time, in the classroom."

Learning Support Coordinators in Schools Nationwide

A cornerstone of the rollout is the introduction of Learning Support Coordinators (LSCs).

• More than 100,000 Year 1–8 students and their teachers will benefit this year

• LSCs are now in place across 474 schools

LSCs work with teachers, families and specialists to coordinate support for students with additional learning needs, improving consistency and outcomes.

Expanded Support for Learners With the Highest Needs

The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) has been expanded to reach more students with complex needs:

• 500 additional students have already received support since Budget 2025

• A further 1,700 students are expected to receive ORS support by 2028/29

Stronger Early Intervention

Early Intervention Services (EIS) have also been strengthened:

• Support now extends through Year 1

• 560 specialist roles are funded

• Additional Teacher Aide hours are being delivered alongside specialist services

In total, an extra 800,000 Teacher Aide hours have been funded this year, with further increases planned in future years.

Helping Students Catch Up

The Government is also investing in targeted interventions to help students accelerate their learning when extra support is needed:

• Structured literacy intervention teachers are now working in 1,248 schools

• Maths intervention teachers are now in 812 schools

These programmes are supporting thousands of students to build foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics.

Professional Development to Ensure Consistency

To support the rollout, the Ministry of Education is launching a national induction programme for Learning Support Coordinators, providing high-quality professional learning and development.

"The induction programme will ensure nationally consistent practice and give teachers starting in the role the knowledge and skills they need to make a real difference," Ms Stanford said.

Raising Achievement for Every Child

"This Government is ambitious about lifting educational achievement," Ms Stanford said. "By strengthening learning support, we are giving students and teachers the tools they need to succeed—so every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential."