WELLINGTON – The New Zealand Government has announced a NZ$21.7 million investment over the next five years to expand classroom-based teacher training in an effort to tackle the country’s ongoing teacher shortage and strengthen the education workforce.
Announcing the investment at a media briefing, Education Minister Erica Stanford said the funding would expand the School Onsite Training Programme, giving aspiring teachers more opportunities to gain practical classroom experience while completing their formal studies.
“New Zealand has faced a persistent teacher shortage for many years. This investment will help train more teachers while providing greater opportunities for those who want to build their skills within the education system,” Stanford said.
Part of the funding will also strengthen the Teacher Bonding Scheme, which encourages teachers to remain in schools that have persistent staffing shortages.
Under the School Onsite Training Programme, trainee teachers spend up to three days a week working in classrooms while completing their academic qualifications. The programme has grown rapidly, expanding from 147 places in 2024 to 528 places in 2026.
The Government plans to increase the number of training places to 660 in 2027, before expanding further to 704 places annually from 2028.
Stanford said primary teachers were added to the programme in 2025 after shortages emerged across both primary and secondary schools. With staffing levels in primary education now showing signs of improvement, future expansion will focus more heavily on training secondary school teachers.
She also said future training places could be targeted towards subjects experiencing the greatest teacher shortages. In addition, online training options will continue to be developed for people living in rural and remote communities, allowing them to train as teachers without leaving their local areas.
From 2027, every trainee teacher accepted into the programme will receive an annual NZ$20,660 stipend to help cover tuition fees and living expenses.
Stanford cited an Education Review Office (ERO) report, which found that school principals believe only one in five newly qualified teachers is fully prepared to teach in the classroom, highlighting the need for more practical, school-based training.
The Government is also expanding the Teacher Bonding Scheme by adding 50 more places, increasing participation from 185 teachers in 2026/27 to 235.
Eligible teachers who commit to working for five years in hard-to-staff schools will receive NZ$40,000 under the scheme.
According to the Government, funding for the expanded classroom-based training programme has been reallocated from a relocation grant previously provided to overseas-qualified early childhood teachers moving to New Zealand.
