School Onsite Training Programme to provide 660 places every year from 2028

The Government is backing more Kiwi’s to train to be teachers by significantly expanding practical, classroom-based training and providing more support to attract teachers to schools facing persistent staffing challenges, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“We are investing $21.7 million over five years to expand the highly successful School Onsite Training Programme and provide more places through the Teacher Bonding Scheme.

“Every day at school matters for a child’s education. That is why trainee teachers need high-quality, practical preparation before they enter the classroom.”

“The Government has grown the School Onsite Training Programme from 147 places in 2024 to 528 places in 2026. It will provide 660 places next year and 704 training places every year from 2028. By 2029, more than 3,000 teachers will have been trained through the programme.

“We have been able to use onsite teacher training to deliberately target trainee teachers to where they are needed most.

“We opened the programme to primary teacher training in 2025 in response to shortages across both primary and secondary schools. Now that workforce data is beginning to show a small oversupply of primary teachers, we are weighting more of the available places towards secondary teacher training.

“In future, we will also be able to target places towards secondary subjects where shortages are identified.

“We have also targeted places to rural and isolated communities by enabling providers to offer online programmes, allowing people to train as teachers while remaining in the communities where they are needed,” Ms Stanford says.

“This is a major investment in classroom-ready Kiwi teachers who understand our curriculum, our culture and the needs of New Zealand students.”

The programme allows trainee teachers to spend up to three days a week in classrooms while completing their formal study. In 2027, participants will receive a stipend of $20,660 to help cover course fees and living costs.

An Education Review Office report found only one in five principals considered new teacher graduates ready for the classroom.

“We have listened and acted. Giving trainee teachers more time in schools, supported by experienced teachers, helps them develop the practical skills and confidence they need from day one.

“Parents should have confidence that teachers are ready to teach the basics brilliantly when they enter the classroom.”

Interest in teaching has grown strongly, with first-time enrolments increasing by up to 30 percent in 2025. New Zealand also has the highest number of teachers in the workforce since records began in 2004.

“This reflects growing confidence in teaching as a respected and rewarding career.

“By investing in New Zealanders who want to become teachers, we are building a stronger and more sustainable workforce while reducing our reliance on recruiting teachers from overseas.”

The Government is also funding 50 additional places in the Teacher Bonding Scheme, increasing the 2026/27 cohort from 185 to 235.

The scheme helps schools with persistent staffing challenges attract and retain quality teachers.

“This means more schools will be able to offer a meaningful incentive to attract teachers to the communities that need them most.

“These investments back Kiwi teachers to succeed and will support better outcomes for children across New Zealand,” Ms Stanford says.