50750 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education

50750 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education: What is the current funding cap, if any, for foundation education?

Hon Penny Simmonds: I am advised by the Ministry of Education that there is no specific funding cap for Foundation Education. Tertiary Education programmes, including Foundation Education, are paid through tuition subsidies at funding rate per Equivalent Full-Time Student (EFTS). The number of EFTS funded each year depends on the total funding available. For the 2025/26 financial year, $199.259 million was budgeted in Vote Tertiary Education for provision at Levels 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.