NZ ECE funding diff
What changed in 2023
2023 saw continued pay-parity progress for kindergarten and licensed-teacher-led ECE services, with the final scheduled pay-parity step embedded in the funding rate. The Equity Index replaced the previous decile system for ECE equity funding; the new system distributes targeted funding to services based on a broader composite of socio-economic indicators of the children attending. No new universal subsidy was launched in 2023; FamilyBoost was announced at the late-2023 election and shipped the following year.
Changes this year
- Workforce
Pay parity steps continue — kaiako pay aligns to kindergarten teacher rates
The multi-year pay-parity programme initiated in earlier budgets continued. Centre-based services that opted in receive a funding rate uplift conditional on paying their certificated teachers at parity with kindergarten teachers. Approximately 80% of licensed teacher-led services participate.
- Policy
Equity Index replaces decile system for ECE
The Equity Index — a composite indicator running from EQI 1 (most advantaged) to EQI 5 (most disadvantaged) — replaced the previous decile-based equity funding system. Services with higher EQI receive proportionately more equity funding to support children facing greater socio-economic challenges.
About this page: a neutral catalogue of NZ ECE funding and policy changes by year. Built from official Crown / Treasury / Ministry sources cited above. We do not represent any political party — corrections and additions welcome via contact. Last reviewed 2026-05-28. See also: our methodology · data sources + licences.