This funding will help develop in-school expertise and scale frontline services across the system to support students learning needs and accelerate progress and achievement.

The Ministry and Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa New Zealand School Boards’ Association (NZSBA) will work with schools and kura to support them with implementing the change.

About the change#

The Government wants to ensure expertise is close to the children who need it most across English medium, Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori education pathways.

Evaluations undertaken over time have highlighted the services are inequitably distributed, the level of support, practices and processes vary between schools and kura, there are inconsistent approaches, and staff are covering multiple schools across large clusters and geographical areas.

These evaluation findings were frequently reflected in feedback received through recent consultation with the sector on the proposal to reinvest RT Literacy and RT Māori funding.

We also heard through consultation feedback that there were areas that remain important to the sector to retain in the education system. These include having expert and specialist support available, ensuring timely access to support for learners and building and strengthening teacher capability.

That’s why through Budget 2025, investments will be made across key areas that consistently deliver better and more equitable learner outcomes with experts and specialist support on the frontline and in the classroom.

Approximately $55 million in total funding over 4 years will be realised through the disestablishment of RT Literacy and RT Māori roles.

RT Literacy funding will be reinvested to deliver multi-tiered, in-school learning supports and support to accelerate student progress.

RT Māori reinvestment into Māori Education initiatives will contribute to 5 programmes, including supporting work to boost teacher skills and confidence with te reo Māori (across both The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa) and in delivering the redesigned content in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. The 5 programmes are intended to support a clearer curriculum, improved teacher training, and lifting achievement and attendance outcomes for ākonga Māori.

This decision is not about the capability of the people involved in providing these services but ensuring that support and expertise are delivered efficiently and equitably so they get to the children who need them most.

Opportunities will be available to RT Literacy and RT Māori whose roles are being disestablished and there is time to consider these options.

Fact sheets#

These fact sheets contain a high-level overview of the changes ahead, including impacts, next steps for school and kura boards, and key contacts for support and enquiries.

RT Literacy and RT Māori consultation results report#

Consultation on the Government’s proposal to reinvest funding made available for RT Literacy and RT Māori into other frontline support was undertaken from 28 February to 21 March 2025.

The results report, 'Sector Consultation on Changes to Funding for Resource Teachers: Literacy and Resource Teachers: Māori', provides a summary of respondents’ feedback received through the consultation process. The report includes an analysis of the findings, the breakdown of respondents, their roles, and responses to the proposal set out in the consultation document.

Proactive release#

Papers that helped to inform the Minister’s decision will be published here soon.

Support and contacts#

Questions about disestablishment can be referred as below, noting that individual kaimahi with concerns should first contact their principal or seek advice from their union.

Schools and boards seeking support through this change can contact Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand School Boards Association (formerly NZSTA).

Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand School Boards Association

Contact the Ministry#

If you have any questions about the changes, contact the Ohumahi support team.

Email: [email protected]

Note, we cannot provide employment advice.

Principals and boards with staffing questions can email the resourcing team.

Email: [email protected]