David Seymour’s changes will mean new ECE teachers being at the whim of their employers who will choose what they’re paid, regardless of any higher qualifications.

“It wasn’t enough that the Government cut women’s pay to save its budget, but now it's doubling down and further undermining the pay of ECE teachers,” Labour’s early childhood education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

“Under these changes, ECE centres will have a harder time attracting recent graduates - a devastating blow for a sector already struggling with teacher numbers.

“We introduced pay parity to ensure we could build the ECE workforce back up and reduce turnover. We did this so those doing the most important teaching of our tamariki would be paid what they deserved and wouldn't just see it as a temporary job, but a career.

“Budget 2025 offered a measly 0.5% cost adjustment in ECE subsidies. To make up for this cost, women are again, being under-valued,” Jan Tinetti said.

“This also comes as it’s reported that the Ministry of Education’s pay equity claims team is at risk of cuts,” Labour’s education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

“This is after Erica Stanford stood in the House and claimed she didn’t know anything about the proposed cuts.

“Women across the country are still trying to stitch the holes National has cut into their pockets and it’s disheartening that at every turn, National chooses to continuing cutting,” Willow-Jean Prime said.