A record 90,770 students across 1,754 New Zealand schools are receiving English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) funding in 2026, more than double the approximately 39,000 funded a decade ago.
Ministry of Education data shows over 80% of these students are in primary schools, with Indian students making up the largest group, followed by Filipino and Chinese learners.
Around 61% are migrants, one-third were born in New Zealand and 3% are former refugees.
The Government has allocated an additional $10 million for ESOL funding this year, increasing the annual budget to $73 million, while funding rates remain at $780 per primary student and $1,000 per secondary student.
Education sector representatives say schools are facing growing demand, limited specialist staffing and increasing diversity of student needs as migration continues to contribute to enrolment growth.
Image credit: Diana
This is insane. Send them all home. Hard working taxpayers are being fleeced and bankrupted to pay for this Sh1t they NEVER voted for. WHY is the government doing this? Purposely wrecking a once fine country? Saboteurs.
Too right. Why should WE pay for suckers, coming here who can’t even speak English!
The total funding of foreigners in the last 10 years is $ ~600 MILLION!
That’s YOUR tax dollars!
OUTRAGEOUS!
They’re doing it for the same reason as all the other anglosphere governments; because they aren’t really the government. They’re actors following instructions from the REAL government. The ones whose names you aren’t allowed to know and who don’t run in fake elections and who want you murdered and replaced
hmmm, spot the white kiwi face – UK / Europe style here we come
Past and current Govt’s have hamstrung our English speaking children with their open door policy. Total idiots.
I can’t talk to the parents either.
Is this why the church parliament passed the English language Bill in February this year? This Bill provides for the recognition of the official status of the English language in New Zealand in legislation.
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2026/198/en/latest/#LMS1493976