‘Major Headache’ For Schools If Kāhui Ako Cut – Principals

Friday, 18 April 2025, 2:26 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

April 16, 2025

North Canterbury schools will be in ‘‘a lot of trouble’’ if a $118m-a-year education scheme is scrapped by the Government, principals say.

A report leaked to RNZ suggested the Government is considering axing the Kāhui Ako (communities of learning) scheme and would redirect the money to fund learning support for children with disabilities.

Rangiora High School board of trustees presiding member Simon Green said more funding is needed for learning support, but it should not come at the expense of Kāhui Ako.

‘‘It would be disappointing for those highly functioning Kāhui Ako across the country to lose the framework that has enabled them to connect schools and positively impact on teaching and learning.’’

Kāhui Ako (communities of learning) were set up by the National-led Government in 2014 and involved local preschools, primary and secondary schools working together.

There are 220 Kāhui Ako around the country, comprising nearly 2000 schools and around 1500 early learning centres.

The scheme involves up to 6000 teachers nationally taking on extra responsibility as across-school and in-school leads and one lead principal. Those involved are paid extra to upskill their colleagues.

In North Canterbury there are four Kāhui Ako, including Puketeraki which comprises 18 schools including Rangiora High School, and Kātote which brings together nine schools including Kaiapoi High School.

Tipu Maia Kahui Ako comprises six area schools and seven Hurunui primary schools, while in Kaikōura a Kāhui Ako is centred around Kaikōura High School.

Puketeraki Kāhui Ako lead principal Brian Price, the lead principal for the national Kāhui Ako association, said the proposal is short-sighted.

‘‘It is like throwing the baby out with the bath water and it has got to stop.’’

While he acknowledged the Kāhui Ako was unpopular in some parts of the country, ‘‘some Kāhui are extremely effective’’.

Mr Price questioned whether the Ministry of Education had conducted a review of the scheme and why it has not consulted schools.

Learning support and improving student outcomes around literacy and numeracy are a big focus for Kāhui Ako, he said.

Around 40 teaching roles in the Puketeraki Kāhui Ako would be impacted if the funding was cut, he said.

Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said cutting the funding will cause ‘‘a lot of trouble’’ for his school, with 12 teachers employed part-time in Kāhui Ako roles.

‘‘I would say the first issue is you need to get past the union as these are union-protected jobs.

‘‘It will cause a major headache in resourcing for us.’’

But Mr Kearney said the principals will do everything they can to keep the collaboration going.

Te Kāhui Ako Kātote lead principal Andrew Retallick said cutting the funding would impact 26 teachers across the Kāhui Ako.

‘‘I came from Taranaki where they were really against Kāhui, but coming down here the opportunity to meet and discuss and create professional relationships across schools has been rewarding.

‘‘It benefits everyone.’’

Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said the collaboration between the schools has improved literacy and numeracy among year 9s coming into the school.

Secondary teachers were spending time at the primary schools and year 7/8 teachers were interacting with the high school to ensure consistency.

Ministry of Education education workforce Hautū (leader) Anna Welanyk said the Government’s focus is on lifting student achievement, and all existing and potential investments are being carefully reviewed.

‘‘More details will be shared when Budget 2025 is announced on May 22.’’

New Zealand Education Institute national secretary Stephanie Mills said taking money from one programme to fund another is not the way to solve challenges in the sector.

"Reprioritising the pie without increasing the envelope is not a recipe for success."

New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association president Chris Abercrombie said his organisation would be "disappointed" if Kāhui Ako funding was withdrawn.

He said there was sufficient funding for both Kāhui Ako and learning support, "if you don’t pump money into privatising education through initiatives like charter schools".

Education Minister Erica Stanford has been contacted for comment.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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