Government's ENRICH investment shows evidence matters, now follow the evidence further.

6 July 2026

Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s expansion of the ENRICH oral language programme, saying the investment demonstrates the value of evidence-informed policy, and should mark the beginning of a broader commitment to strengthening the entire education system.

The Government has announced a $12.4 million expansion of the ENRICH programme, developed through the Kia Tīmata Pai (Best Start) research, to support children’s oral language development from 18 months through to school entry.

Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe said the announcement was encouraging because it recognised the importance of research in improving educational outcomes.

“The Kia Tīmata Pai research has made an important contribution to our understanding of how children’s oral language develops, and it’s encouraging to see that evidence translated into Government investment.”

“Oral language is one of the strongest predictors of later educational success, and programmes such as ENRICH show what is possible when policy is informed by high-quality research.”

“The real opportunity now is to take that evidence further.”

“ENRICH reinforces what the early childhood sector has long understood: children learn best through responsive relationships, rich conversations and intentional teaching.”

“Programmes don’t teach children – qualified teachers do.”

“ENRICH succeeds because it is built around meaningful interactions between teachers and children. Those conversations require knowledgeable, skilled teachers who have the time to build strong relationships with every child.”

“If Government is prepared to follow the evidence on oral language, it should also follow the evidence on the conditions that make programmes like ENRICH successful. That means continuing to invest in qualified teachers, improving teacher-child ratios and creating the professional conditions that enable quality teaching every day.”

Kathy Wolfe says the investment also highlights the need for greater consistency across education policy.

“Children experience one continuous learning journey, but too often our education system is treated as separate parts. Early childhood education and schooling should be designed as a connected pathway, with the same evidence informing teaching from the early years through into primary education.”

“Children don’t stop learning one way on Friday in early childhood education and begin learning differently on Monday at school. Research consistently tells us that oral language, responsive relationships, play-based learning and intentional teaching remain fundamental throughout the early years of learning.”

Kathy Wolfe said ENRICH should be seen as strengthening New Zealand’s existing early childhood curriculum rather than introducing a new direction.

“ENRICH succeeds because it builds on the strengths already embedded in Te Whāriki. Its emphasis on rich conversations, responsive relationships and intentional teaching reflects principles our curriculum has championed for decades.”

Kathy Wolfe said the announcement also demonstrated the importance of taking a long-term approach to education policy.

“Education should not change direction every electoral cycle. When governments invest in evidence-based programmes such as ENRICH, they demonstrate what can be achieved through long-term thinking.”

“We now have an opportunity to build an education system where every major policy decision together with ECE investment that supports and resources the curriculum, the teaching workforce, pay and conditions, teacher-child ratios and the transition from early childhood education to school, is guided by the same commitment to evidence.”

“Early childhood education has never lacked evidence. The challenge now is ensuring our entire education system adheres to it.”

Media Contact

Rob McCann - Lead Communications Advisor | Kaitohutohu Whakapā Matua
022 411 4560
rob.mccann@ecnz.ac.nz