- By Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister and MP for Botany
From early next year, over 100,000 more year 1-8 students will have access to a Learning Support Co-ordinator to provide the support they need so they can thrive at school.
By 2028, more students will have access to this support, with almost 300,000 students expected to benefit as a result of funding announced earlier this year.
Learning Support Co-ordinators support both staff and students in schools, working with neurodiverse students and those with additional learning needs.
This increase in support will help schools identify student needs earlier, bringing learning support closer to young people who need it most.
Additional schools in our electorate that will receive a Learning Support Co-ordinator through our changes are Baverstock Oaks School, Chapel Downs School, Cockle Bay School, Dawson School, Elim Christian College, Kia Aroha Campus, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Point View School, Rongomai School, Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School, Sancta Maria College, Shelly Park School, Somerville Intermediate School, and Willowbank School.
For too long, parents, teachers, and principals have been calling out for more support, which is why Budget 2025 delivered the largest investment in learning support in a generation.
We want every Kiwi child to get the support the need, no matter where they live, but right now access to learning support varies across New Zealand.
We’re removing inequity, inconsistency and we’re being flexible for our rural and smaller schools who struggle to fully staff their classrooms.
Parents can be confident we are putting their child’s needs at the centre of the education system.
We want every child to thrive. This investment will raise achievement and ensure every Kiwi student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
