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The Ministerial Advisory Group's role#
The Associate Minister of Education established the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on 19 June 2025 to review funding for early learning.
The MAG is an independent body that can draw upon Ministry of Education resources to support this work.
We have been asked to provide the Associate Minister of Education with advice, develop options, and undertake public consultation, with particular emphasis on key stakeholders.
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 will then make any decisions about possible next steps.
Terms of reference#
ECE Funding Review Terms of ReferenceMembers of the MAG#
From the Chair, Linda Meade#
Early childhood education services serve an important role in our society. I also know, through my own experience, the positive impact high-quality ECE services can make on individual children and families. The challenge is making sure all New Zealanders have access to affordable, high-quality ECE services now and in the years to come. To do that, we need to make sure the ECE funding system has the right settings.
When I was asked to chair the independent Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) conducting the ECE funding system review, I knew what was being asked of the group would not be easy. We would need to test long-held assumptions, challenge our own thinking, and work with services, teachers, parents, employers, and academics to understand the real forces impacting the ECE funding system.
I am thrilled to say I believe the collective expertise and experience of the MAG members will allow us to do all those things and more.
The MAG will be listening to voices from across New Zealand, and then playing back what we hear, to make sure we’ve understood the issues that matter, before exploring potential options for the ECE funding system.
Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group
This is the place you can come over the coming months to keep tabs on our progress, learn more about opportunities to engage with us directly, or find information about making submissions when it’s time for consultation on options.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ngā mihi,
Linda
Work programme and engagement schedule#
The MAG is establishing its work programme, consultation, and engagement schedules.
A top priority is identifying engagement opportunities that allow us to hear from all stakeholders, including teachers and parents.
The timetable below outlines the expected key deliverables and timeframes for the group. These timeframes may be adjusted by the Chair if it benefits the purpose of the review, subject to the agreement of the Minister. The timetable shown below was agreed by the Minister in September 2025.
- July to October 2025
Establishing base knowledge and review focus.
- October to December 2025
Engagement.
- September 2025 to January 2026
Discovery and engagement. Engagement will take place October to December.
- November 2025 to March 2026
Information synthesis and option development.
- February to July 2026
Consultation on indicative options and analysis. Consultation will take place some time from April to June 2026.
- May to September 2026
Advice and final report provided to Minister.
More details will be provided here as schedules are confirmed.
