Cessation Of Funding For The National Centre For Tertiary Teaching Excellence And Literacy And Numeracy For Adults

While the Government does acknowledge that quality teaching is important and central to effective learning, in a tight fiscal environment it has made the decision to reprioritise funding to support the viability of strategically important vocational education and training.

Provost Giselle Byrnes representing Massey as the host institution says, "we are proud to have hosted Ako Aotearoa for the past 18 years (since 2007) and we are deeply disappointed with the governments decision. Ako Aotearoa provides critical advice and leadership across the tertiary landscape around teaching excellence for the success of all learners."

Ako Aotearoa Board Co-Chair Derek McCormack says, “The Ako Aotearoa Board is meeting under urgency to discuss this announcement and its implications for the Ako Aotearoa team and the services Ako Aotearoa provides to support ākonga learner success through quality teaching and learning,” says Mr McCormack.

"This news comes at a time when the Ako Aotearoa Board has been closely working with and alongside sector stakeholders to inform the future vision of Ako Aotearoa to contribute to learner success through quality teaching and learning,” says Co-Chair Associate Professor Meegan Hall.

She adds, “Ako Aotearoa provides high value programmes, including the Manako programme to support educators and organisations working with Māori, Pacific and disabled learners. Our research and innovation project funding and professional development for educators is designed to support success for the TES priority learners, particularly for these important groups.”

As Chair of the national Te Whatu Kairangi awards selection panel, Derek McCormack says, “Ako Aotearoa hosts the national Te Whatu Kairangi awards to celebrate outstanding tertiary educators who are making a difference to learners, their whānau and communities. These awards encourage and support those who strive to be better educators.”

“Formerly the National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards, Ako Aotearoa has been providing these awards on behalf of the Minister for Tertiary Education since 2008,” says Derek McCormack.

Ako Aotearoa services for Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Cultural Capability have been funded to provide Māori and Pacific literacy and numeracy educator programmes since 2014, and for all ALN since 2018.

While ultimately decisions about enabling kaiako and tertiary educators to provide and support high quality teaching and learning are those of the sector, Ako Aotearoa will continue to engage with our strategic partners and TEO colleagues on opportunities to work together on a way forward. Due to sector demand, Ako Aotearoa intends to continue to run its programmes to the end of the year. The Board will assess the options and next steps over the coming months.

"We note that govt is expecting training and professional development to be the responsibility of TEOs and educators themselves, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Minister and TEC to deliver on this vision”, says Professor Byrnes.

The Government has announced that funding for Ako Aotearoa, the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence (NCTTE) and Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Cultural Capability (ALNACC) will cease on 30 June 2025 and 31 December 2025 respectively.

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