Who we are

The Ministry of Education is committed to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for children and young people with special education needs.

There are approximately 2,500 Ministry staff working in special education throughout New Zealand. We are part of the Ministry of Education, and we are called the Ministry of Education, Special Education.

Special Education has a national, regional and district structure that is focused on strengthening the Ministry's overall special education direction and providing special education services to children and young people with high and very high educational, social, behavioural, and communication needs.

We have a national office in Wellington, four regional offices, and 16 district offices throughout New Zealand that are supported by a number of local offices. Special Education staff in these offices work closely with the wider education community supporting children and young people with special education needs. They include:

• speech-language therapists 
• kaitakawaenga 
• psychologists 
• special education advisors 
• advisors on deaf children 
• occupational therapists 
• physiotherapists 
• early intervention teachers 
• assistive technology coordinators  - for more information please contact your local office.
• support workers 
• district Māori advisors.