# Labour pledges 1000 new teacher aides

> Labour promises 1000 more teacher aides to boost student support.
- Title: Labour pledges 1000 new teacher aides · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Labour promises 1000 more teacher aides to boost student support. Labour will fund 1000 additional teacher aides over four years to provide individual…
- Keywords: labour, teacher aides, education, new zealand, politics, election 2026, news, pledges, 1000, teacher, aides, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2074975/labour-promises-to-hire-1000-more-teacher-aides
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-21T21:30:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: labour, teacher aides, education, new zealand, politics, election 2026, news
## Labour's new policy
Labour promises to fund 1000 additional teacher aides over four years for student support.
## Ginny Andersen's statement
Andersen says teachers are stretched and schools lack funding for learning support.

> Too many teachers are stretched trying to meet the needs of every child, while schools are dipping into their budgets or fundraising to pay for learning support
## National's response
National highlights 896,210 additional teacher aide hours and early intervention progress.

> 896,210 additional teacher aide hours were delivered in 2025/26; over 1000 more children were receiving high-needs support from the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme; more than 6100 Year 1 children were benefiting from Early Intervention Services; early intervention wait times were 16 days shorter compared to December 2025 after contracting an extra 1000 private sector specialist places; 474 more schools had learning support coordinators; and 190 more learning support specialist roles had been filled.
## Key takeaway

Labour will fund 1000 additional teacher aides over four years to provide individual student support, addressing learning gaps.