Statement | Budget 2025: Investment into learning support welcome but more needed to support ākonga Māori

PĀNUI PAPAHO | STATEMENT

4 Pipiri 2025 | 4 June 2025 

Budget 2025: Investment into learning support welcome but more needed to support ākonga Māori

The investment of $746.7 million into improving the Learning Support infrastructure is welcomed by Mātauranga ILG to enable early intervention services, reduce wait times and allow specialist support to reach those most in need. 

“Continued divestment by successive governments has resulted in ākonga Māori making up almost 80% of learners in alternative education pathways, so while this boost for Learning Support is a step towards improving outcomes for ākonga Māori, there is more to be done” says Mātauranga ILG Lead Technician, Maxine Graham. 

“Any investment in education is going to benefit ākonga Māori but we know our tāmariki thrive when their education experience is culturally responsive and community led” says Ms Graham.

Budget 2025 has also reprioritised funding to allocate $54 million in operational funding and another $50 million in capital funding for initiatives such as training and support for teachers, te reo Māori language proficiency and curriculum resources. However further work is needed to bridge this resourcing with iwi and community-led approaches, says Ms Graham. 

“Iwi, hapū and whānau Māori have the expertise to improve literacy, numeracy and achievement outcomes, but it can only be done if serious support is put into place to engage whānau Māori as contributors in shaping successful education systems.” 

“The success of kura kaupapa Māori in lifting education outcomes for ākonga Māori is undeniable, and while recent funding initiatives are welcome, there is still much to do to address the historical and ongoing inequities faced by kura kaupapa Māori,” says Ms Graham.

“The lack of adequate property funding and support for expansion could disrupt the government's target for 30% of ākonga Māori to participate in Māori medium and kaupapa Māori education by 2040.”

“We want to see more support for whānau Māori to be involved in shaping education, such as taking up leadership positions in education governance, to ensure support for our ākonga is tailored for success.”

Mātauranga ILG meets with government education Ministers on a regular basis, and will continue to impress the importance of equitable funding.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with Ministers about how this funding will be invested and how iwi, hapū and whānau can actively shape education experiences and pathways to benefit all students, including ākonga Māori.”

Ends

Media contact

Hana Tapiata | hana.tapiata@milg.co.nz  

Note for editors

Mātauranga ILG is one of eight Iwi Leaders Groups (ILGs) within Pou Tangata, responsible for education policy. Pou Tangata is one of the five Pou of the National Iwi Chairs Forum. The Forum exists to advocate and influence priorities of national significance on behalf of collective iwi interests. More information on Pou Tangata can be found here: www.poutangata.com

The Mātauranga ILG aims to improve the education outcomes to support lifelong learning for whānau, and ensure the development of intergenerational capability across iwi, hapū and whānau.

Mātauranga ILG is focused on ensuring ākonga Māori and their whānau are supported by an education system to achieve real, long lasting outcomes.

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