3265 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Vocational Education

3265 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Vocational Education: Did The Teacher's Institute apply to the Teaching Education Commission for initial education teacher funding in 2025, if so, on what date was the application received and on what date was it approved?

Hon Penny Simmonds: I have been informed by the Tertiary Education Commission that: • an application for funding was received from the Teacher’s Institute for initial education teacher funding on 5 July 2024 for the 2025 year as a new provider. This application was assessed as part of the TEC annual investment process for the tertiary sector. • funding for 2025 was approved on 13 November 2024 and the Teachers Institute was formally informed via a Funding Confirmation Letter on 10 December 2024. The confirmation was subject to approval of their Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary, School based) (L8) programme being approved by the New Zealand Qualification Authority and The Teaching Council Aotearoa New Zealand. • as an existing provider the Teachers Institute was informed of their indicative funding allocation for 2026 funding on 5 June 2025. • an application for additional 2026 funding was received from the Teacher’s Institute for initial education teacher funding on 4 July 2025 for 2026 funding. This request was received as part of the annual Investment round which TEC manages each year for all tertiary providers. • the additional funding request was approved on 9 December 2025, and the Teachers Institute was informed via a Funding Confirmation Letter on 10 December 2025.