Four online hui will allow more people connected with early childhood education to share their views with the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) tasked to provide advice on how the funding system could better support children, families, the sector and the economy.

The Associate Minister of Education established the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) in June 2025 to review funding for early learning. An independent body, the MAG has support and secretariat provided by the Ministry of Education.

So far, the MAG has held 24 meetings from Gisborne to Ōtautahi, and has meetings scheduled in Wellington, Hamilton, Whangarei and Dunedin. Meetings are set for the business sector as employers of those who use ECE services, with unions and with hospital-based services.

The online hui, which anyone can attend, will be held from 21 until 26 November. Surveys to hear from whānau | families who use ECE and ECE staff are opening soon.

A summary of feedback the MAG has received will be shared in the new year, with formal consultation on options being considered starting in the autumn.

The MAG will submit a final report in September 2026, with fiscally neutral recommendations for redesigning the ECE funding system. The Associate Minister of Education and Cabinet will then make any decisions about possible next steps.

Register to attend a hui, make an online submission or find out more here.

Ministerial Advisory Group – early childhood education funding system review