Budget 2026 Invests $2.1B to Boost NZ Secondary Education and Vocational Training

Budget 2026 allocates approximately $2.1 billion to enhance New Zealand's education system, focusing on secondary education reform, vocational pathways, and curriculum development, including $61 million for curriculum resources and $20 million for teacher professional development. Significant investments include $15 million for Industry Skills Boards to create new vocational subjects, $69 million to expand Trades Academies, and $90 million to support NZQA’s qualification reforms with modern digital systems. Additional funding addresses learning support needs, school property growth, and operational grants, while reallocating $65 million from underperforming initiatives to priority areas, continuing efforts to raise achievement and close equity gaps.