Learning Support

Learning Support Coordinators - $192.5 million

• • By 2028 every school in the country will have a Learning Support Coordinator. 216 will be allocated in 2026, 222 in 2027 and 211 in 2028.
  • Allocations will be by this formula. 500 students equals 1.0 FTTE.

ORs Funding - $122.5 million

• • The eligibility criteria to receive ORs funding will be reviewed and the cap removed, meaning from 2026, all students who meet the criteria will receive the funding.
  • Additional LS Specialists will be employed and not limited to MOE employees. 
  • Additional Learning Assistant hours will be allocated. 612,120 hours in 2026, 165,440 in 2027, 134,240 in 2028 and 108,280 in 2029

Early Intervention - $266 million

• • Historically, Early Intervention started in ECE and finished when a student turned 5. From 2026, Early Intervention will end at the end of Year 1, meaning the transition to school will be smoother.
  • Additional LS Specialists will be employed and not limited to MOE employees 
  • Additional Learning Assistant hours will be allocated. 225,000 hours in 2026, 85,000 in 2027, 269,800 in 2028 and 33,990 in 2029

Behaviour & Communication Services - $42.9 million

• • Additional LS Specialists will be employed and not limited to MOE employees 
  • Additional Learning Assistant hours will be allocated. 59,090 hours in 2026, 31,362 in 2027, 32,647 in 2028 and 320,200 in 2029

Specialist School Network - $90 million

• • 25 new Learning Support Classrooms (satellites) will be added to the network
  • 365 Property Modifications will be implemented to make schools more accessible.

Intense wrap-around (IWS) 

• • $7.3m, which resources 45 more spaces in Te kahu toi/IWS