Parents’ Alliance seeks answers from National on education funding

MEDIA RELEASE

30 October 2026

Parents’ Alliance seeks answers from National on education funding

The Parents' Alliance is calling on the National Party to clarify what its projected fiscal restraint and tighter operating allowances would mean for education funding.

"Parents, teachers and school leaders deserve certainty about the future of education funding," said Parents' Alliance Chair Cameron Bagrie.

"We are seeking answers from the National Party on what their fiscal projections and tighter operating allowances mean for education, and whether they believe it is acceptable for education investment to fall as a share of the economy."

Treasury's Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update shows core Crown education spending at $20.9 billion in 2024/25, or 4.8 per cent of GDP.  On current baselines it stays flat at around $22 billion a year to 2030/31 while the economy grows, taking education’s share of GDP down to 3.8 per cent – lower than any year in Treasury’s records dating back to 1972.

National's fiscal plan provides limited room for new spending after meeting health commitments, raising questions about how future education priorities, including learning support, and implementation of the new secondary qualification will be funded.

"Education is an investment in New Zealand's future," Mr Bagrie said.

"Education spending as a share of GDP is projected to fall to levels not seen in more than 50 years. New Zealanders deserve to know whether that is a deliberate policy choice and what it will mean for classrooms."

"The question is simple: if operating allowances are tightening, how much of that restraint will be borne by education, and what will the consequences be for students?"

ENDS