David Seymour: Deputy PM and Associate Education Minister insists education has improved, despite workforce challenges episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 8, 2026 · 2 MIN

David Seymour: Deputy PM and Associate Education Minister insists education has improved, despite workforce challenges

from The Mike Hosking Breakfast · host Newstalk ZB

David Seymour wants to reassure parents things have improved - despite new data showing growing workforce challenges in early childhood education. Nearly 34,000 teaching staff were employed last year, but just over two-thirds were qualified. Almost 10,000 staff had no formal qualifications - nearly double the number in 2011. Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that parents should know the number of teachers with formal qualifications has increased. He says in actual fact the situation hasn't changed much in five years and has improved since they've been in Government.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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David Seymour: Deputy PM and Associate Education Minister insists education has improved, despite workforce challenges

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David Seymour wants to reassure parents things have improved - despite new data showing growing workforce challenges in early childhood education. Nearly 34,000 teaching staff were employed last year, but just over two-thirds were qualified. Almost...

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