NZEI welcomes Labour’s commitment to prioritise education investment

25 June 2014

NZEI Te Riu Roa welcomes Labour’s plan to make real and much-needed new investment in children’s futures, announced in its fiscal policy today.

Quality public education provides real long term economic and social benefits yet government expenditure on education is set to fall as a percentage of GDP between now and 2018.

NZEI National President Judith Nowotarski says Labour’s commitment to reducing inequality through a fairer tax policy and more investment in education would be a significant boost for children.

“New Zealanders strongly believe education should be our number one investment. That’s why we welcome Labour’s promise to increase spending, mainly in health and education, by $1-billion."

Ms Nowotarski says Labour's plans to ensure that Budgets keep pace with inflation and demographic change will provide greater transparency.

"Currently it is too easy to disguise cuts in education budgets."

“It is important that investment in education is done in partnership with teachers, parents and school communities in order to get real value out of that investment.”

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