1628 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education

Written Question

Published date: 02 Mar 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	1628 (2026)
Question asked:	01 Feb 2026
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister of Education
Minister replying:	Hon Erica Stanford
Answer received:	23 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_01628_2026
Document guid:	621a917f-7a94-4acd-8b41-84f1977d8662

1628 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education: Which stakeholders or advocates acting on behalf of children with high and complex needs, such as charities or support groups, were consulted on the two new specialist schools?

Hon Erica Stanford: As required, under Section 209 of the Education and Training Act 2020, the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) consulted the boards of all the State schools (including Day Specialist Schools) and kura in the relevant areas, whose rolls might be affected before establishing the two new specialist schools. The Ministry also engaged with the Specialist Education Principals Association of New Zealand (SEPAnz) on the planning for the two new specialist schools.