# Green Party promises to scrap apprentice training wage, offer $2000 equipment grants

> Green Party proposes abolishing apprentice training wage and providing $2000 equipment grants.
- Title: Green Party promises to scrap apprentice training wage, offer…
- Summary: Green Party proposes abolishing apprentice training wage and providing $2000 equipment grants. Green Party plans to scrap apprentice training wage and offer…
- Keywords: green party, apprentice training wage, equipment grants, māori, pasifika, trades workforce, studylink, student payments, training wage, infometrics, politics, news
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-greens-promise-to-scrap-apprentice-training-wage-offer-2000-equipment-grants/TBKNTI475VDKFM6UGI5ORZHXEM
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: green party, apprentice training wage, equipment grants, māori, pasifika, trades workforce, studylink, student payments, training wage, infometrics, politics, news
## Green Party policy announcement
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick announced plans to abolish the apprentice training wage if elected.

> The Green Party is proposing to abolish the training wage for apprentices if elected
## Current training wage rate
The training wage is set at $19.16, or 80% of the adult minimum wage of $23.95 an hour.

> The training wage is set at $19.16, or 80% of the adult minimum wage of $23.95 an hour
## Policy to abolish training wage
The Greens argue what they believe are inadequate pay and a lack of opportunities have driven apprentice numbers to a 15-year low.

> what they believe are inadequate pay and a lack of opportunities and support have driven apprentice numbers to a 15-year low
## Equipment grants for apprentices
The Greens propose a $2000 equipment grant for each apprenticeship to cover tools, uniforms and course materials.

> a $2000 equipment grant for each apprenticeship to cover tools, uniforms and course materials
## Māori and Pasifika support
The Greens would invest an additional $30 million annually in Māori and Pasifika-led training, including pastoral support and job matching.

> They would also invest an additional $30 million annually in Māori and Pasifika-led training, including pastoral support, job matching and first-job assistance
## Employer incentives
Employers who helped apprentices complete qualifications would receive a $2000 bonus for doing so.

> Employers who helped apprentices successfully complete their qualifications would receive a $2000 bonus for doing so
## Estimated annual cost
The Greens estimated the policy would cost $117.35m a year, with figures independently verified by Infometrics.

> The Greens estimated the policy would cost $117.35m a year, with the figures independently verified by Infometrics
## Apprentice completion rates
Māori and Pasifika apprentices have completion rates of 31% and 29% respectively.

> Māori and Pasifika apprentices have completion rates of 31% and 29% respectively
## Swarbrick on training wage barrier
Swarbrick said tradespeople consistently cite the training wage as the main barrier to completing apprenticeships.

> Swarbrick said tradespeople consistently cite the training wage as the main barrier to completing apprenticeships
## Swarbrick on pastoral care
Swarbrick described the training wage as 'a poor policy that has resulted in people dropping out'.

> Swarbrick said the training wage is 'a poor policy that has resulted in people dropping out'
## Māori and Pasifika support details
The Greens included pastoral care to help support people through training, particularly for Māori and Pasifika.

> That’s also why pastoral care is so important to help to support people through their training, and that’s why we’ve also included this boost particularly for Māori and Pasifika
## Student payments policy
The Greens proposed a universal $380-a-week payment for students completing compulsory practical placements in health and education roles.

> The Greens proposed a universal $380-a-week payment for students completing compulsory practical placements in health and education roles
## Student payments cost
The policy would cost $74m to $80m a year, administered by StudyLink and paid on top of student loans.

> That policy, estimated to cost $74m to $80m a year, would apply to courses including nursing, midwifery, medicine, teaching, social work, counselling, physiotherapy, dentistry and veterinary training
## Student payments relocation
Students required to relocate could claim $1500 towards moving costs.

> with students required to relocate also able to claim $1500 towards moving costs
## Act Party policy
The Act Party proposed lowering the training wage to 60% of the adult minimum wage for workers under 20.

> The Act Party released its own policy on the training wage last month, promising to lower it to 60% of the adult minimum wage for workers under 2.0 while freezing the adult minimum wage for three years if elected
## Key takeaway

Green Party plans to scrap apprentice training wage and offer $2000 equipment grants to boost trades workforce.