Highest Needs Review 

The Government is committed to ensuring all children and young people can access high-quality education and receive the support they need to succeed in education. It is important that education supports are designed so that the potential of all our children can be fully realised, which is at the heart of what whānau and kaiako strive for every day. 

In October 2021, I announced a review of the services provided to learners with the highest learning needs. The Review’s online portal is now live and will remain open until 31 March 2022. 

The purpose of the review is to ensure that these children and young people, and their families, whānau and aiga, receive the right learning support they need, when they need it, and for as long as they need it. The education journey of children and young people, from early learning to leaving secondary school, falls within the scope of the Review. 

Children and young people are our taonga, and it is essential we include their opinions and those of their families, whānau and aiga, as well as teachers, support staff, education leaders and school boards. We want as many people as possible to know about the Highest Needs Review so they can engage and share their opinions on how we can improve and change the services provided to children and young people, within scope of the review. 

 Having been an educator for 30 years, I know how difficult it can be to navigate the system. This is why I am really keen to hear from you as school leaders, teachers and support staff, and I strongly encourage you to have your say at Highest Needs Review – Conversation space (education.govt.nz).

Please also share this information, and how to be involved, with your staff and school community.

Nāku noa, nā 

Hon Jan Tinetti 

Associate Minister of Education