Child and Teacher Wellbeing Under Pressure: ECE Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand (Commentary)

This policy commentary overviews how aspects of the evolving ECE policy environment in Aotearoa New Zealand impacts on child and teacher safety and wellbeing. Children’s wellbeing is conceptualised as interdependent on the wellbeing of those connected to them, including their teachers. Drawing on conceptual resources from Te Whāriki , including the concept of Mana Atua, the obligation to create policy decisions that uphold and do not diminish each child’s inherent mana frame the policy review. The commentary considers recent national research pointing to the damaging effects of for-profit private provision on teacher work conditions, pay and wellbeing. It goes onto examine recent political narratives and policy developments, including the review of ECE regulations, the funding system and the repeal of pay parity for some teachers. These developments are situated within the ongoing marketisation of the sector, questioning the blind commitment to marketisation as a provision strategy despite its damaging effects.