ECE funding review cannot succeed without new investment, says Te Rito Maioha

6 August 2026

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Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand is calling on the Government to rethink the way it funds early childhood education (ECE), warning that the current funding review risks redistributing scarcity rather than addressing the sector’s underlying challenges.

Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe said Te Rito Maioha’s submission to the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) makes one central point: New Zealand is trying to solve an investment problem by moving money around.

“Early childhood education is one of the smartest investments a country can make. It gives children the best start in life, enables parents and caregivers choices to participate in the workforce, and strengthens communities.

“But the current review is largely focused on redistributing an already underfunded system rather than asking what level of investment is needed to deliver the outcomes New Zealand expects and treating ECE as a Public Good.”

Until the Government recognises early childhood education as a strategic national education investment, funding reforms will continue to force unnecessary trade-offs between quality, affordability and access.

Quality must not be sacrificed

The organisation warns against lowering expectations to make limited funding stretch further.

“The worst possible outcome would be weakening teacher qualifications or reducing quality standards simply because funding is constrained,” said Ms Wolfe.

“New Zealand should be learning from Australia, where governments are strengthening qualifications and quality after experiencing significant failures within parts of their early childhood system. Lowering standards is not the answer.” You can read more here.

Qualified teachers matter

Te Rito Maioha says degree qualified, registered and certificated teachers are fundamental to delivering high-quality education and care.

“Early childhood teachers complete the same degree initial teacher education, meet the same professional standards and are registered and certificated just like primary and secondary teachers.

“When parents leave their child each morning, they want to know they’re being welcomed by a qualified teacher who understands their child, has built a warm, trusting relationship with them, and has the professional knowledge to support their learning and development.”

The submission opposes any changes that weaken incentives for services to employ qualified teachers. Read more here.

Treat ECE as education, not just childcare

A key recommendation is for Government to fundamentally rethink its approach to funding.

“For too long, early childhood education has been viewed primarily as a childcare subsidy. In reality, it is the first stage of our education system and delivers benefits that extend far beyond individual families,” Ms Wolfe said.

“High-quality early childhood education improves educational outcomes, supports workforce participation, strengthens communities and reduces future social costs. Those are benefits enjoyed by the whole country.

“That’s why we believe ECE should be funded more like schools and tertiary education as a long-term investment in New Zealand’s future, rather than simply a cost to be managed.” Read more here.

Te Rito Maioha’s submission also proposes a longer-term shift to an investment-based funding model, with separate funding for workforce, operations, equity and innovation, bringing early childhood education into closer alignment with the rest of the education system.

“The real question isn’t how we divide a pie that’s already too small,” said Ms Wolfe “It’s whether New Zealand is prepared to invest in the quality early childhood education that children, whānau and our economy deserve.”

For further information read the State of the Sector opinion pieces.

Media Contact

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