Efforts are currently underway to enhance the appeal of teaching as a career amid a continuing decline in enrollments in teacher education programs across New Zealand. Recent data from the Ministry of Education highlights a worrying downward trend, revealing a steady decrease in the number of individuals pursuing studies in the education sector.
In 2015, approximately 34,165 students were enrolled in at least one education course. By 2024, that number had fallen to 27,510. Universities enroll the majority of these students, but more than 7,000 are attending private training institutions. Teacher education continues to be the most commonly chosen area of study within the field. However, participation in these programs has also declined—from 21,205 in 2015 to 18,490 in 2024. Curriculum and education studies enrollment has also fallen dramatically, from 14,580 to 10,170 over the same time period.
Universities such as Canterbury and Otago, which experienced a peak in teaching enrollments in 2021, are now reporting noticeable decreases. Provisional figures for 2025 indicate that Canterbury has 964 students currently enrolled in teaching-related courses, compared to 1,281 four years ago. Otago University has seen a similar decline, with enrollments falling from 620 to 495 over the same period. Meanwhile, Te Pūkenga—the national polytechnic—has recorded its lowest intake of first-year teaching students since its establishment in 2020, with only 986 new enrollments.
Chris Abercrombie, president of the Post Primary Teachers’ Association/Te Wehengarua (PPTA), expressed serious concerns about these trends. “The ongoing decline in enrollments is deeply troubling,” he stated. “We are already facing a worsening shortage of secondary school teachers in New Zealand, and this data confirms that the issue is only becoming more severe.”
The Ministry of Education’s annual Teacher Demand and Supply Planning Projection supports these concerns, warning that schools could face a shortfall of 1,250 teachers this year. Immigration-driven roll growth and an increase in classroom release time for teachers are the primary causes of the shortage. This situation follows a significant forecasting error in the previous year, when the ministry incorrectly anticipated a surplus of teachers for 2025.
In response, Education Minister Erica Stanford has introduced several policy changes, including adding overseas-trained primary school teachers to the straight-to-residence immigration pathway. These adjustments are intended to address unexpected staff shortages and ensure schools remain adequately staffed as the total student roll continues to rise. Current projections suggest that enrollment will peak at 848,368 students by 2026.
Speaking at the recent National Secondary Education Leadership Summit, Minister Stanford acknowledged the pressures teachers face. “It’s not always about pay. Many teachers tell me the most difficult aspect is the working conditions, especially in relation to learning support,” she noted.
However, Abercrombie emphasized that remuneration still plays a vital role in attracting individuals to the profession. “Pay and working conditions have gradually deteriorated over time. Despite ongoing discussions with various governments, we have not yet managed to make significant improvements,” he said.
He also pointed to a broader cultural issue: diminishing respect for educators. “We frequently hear from teachers that they feel undervalued by the community and political leaders. That lack of respect discourages many from choosing teaching as a career path,” he added.
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the current and future challenges facing the education workforce. It is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Education, unions, and other stakeholders on both short- and long-term strategies. These include easing re-entry for former teachers and attracting experienced educators from overseas.
Abercrombie concluded by reiterating the value of the teaching profession. “Secondary teaching is an incredibly rewarding career. After nearly two decades in the classroom, I still find it fulfilling. Our goal now is to make teaching a profession that people aspire to enter.”
