Who are we?

The Specialist Teaching Programme is a two-year postgraduate qualification for experienced teachers to engage in advanced part-time study alongside full-time professional practice to qualify as Specialist Resource Teachers. They work across education and disability sectors to support learners who are Deaf, Blind, have Complex Needs, need Early Intervention in centres or Kōhanga Reo, are Gifted, Neurodiverse, or have Learning and Behaviour needs.

Specialist Resource Teachers support learners, teachers, whānau and service organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand to achieve equitable and inclusive education for all tamariki. The Specialist Teaching Programme is the only programme for Specialist Resource Teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand, and over 200 Specialist Resource Teachers graduate from the Programme each year, strengthening the Learning Support workforce.

The Specialist Teaching Programme in 2025

Specialist areas across learning support

Ministry of Education regions across Aotearoa

Different professional roles

400 +

Specialist Resource Teachers

18 yrs

Average experience in education

Specialist Areas

Specialist Resource Teachers develop specialist skills and knowledge in one of 8 endorsement areas.

The interprofessional programme facilitates learning with, from and about each other to enhance collaborative practice ~ He waka eke noa.

Partnerships with the sector across areas are central to the programme impact. These include stakeholders such as: Ministry of Education Learning Support; RTLB Clusters, specialist schools; BLENNZ; Ko Taku Reo; and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

The diagram shows numbers for 2025 in each specialist area (hover on image). Navigate between Years 1 , 2 and Total using the menu at the top of the visualisation.

"My exploration of interprofessional practice reshaped my understanding of my role. I came to appreciate that no single professional can holistically meet all of a child's needs, particularly for tamariki with diverse learning profiles. Collaboration multiplies our effectiveness; the expertise of teachers and learning support specialists combines to create a stronger, more responsive support network".

Leila Wang (Early Intervention, Year 1)

National Impact

Specialist Resource Teachers in the Programme are located across Aotearoa New Zealand, providing equitable access to their skills, knowledge, professional networks, and expertise.

This workforce spans all Ministry of Education regions across Aotearoa New Zealand, with an emphasis on nationally consistent and locally responsive practice.

The map shows distribution by year of study (dropdown) and numbers (hover over region) for 2025.

"The opportunity to learn alongside others, to ground theory in context, to align with guiding frameworks, and to work collaboratively has shaped me into a more confident, principled, and connected practitioner."

Jo Stanhope (Learning & Behaviour, Year 2)

The Specialist Resource Teachers in 2025 work across 25 different practice roles while studying in one of the specialist endorsement areas. This demonstrates the diversity and breadth of professionals across the Learning Support workforce that are impacted by the programme.

The Programme's focus on interprofessional practice supports this diverse workforce to collaborate effectively in study and practice for the benefit of ākonga, whānau and the sector.

The table shows the range of roles within and across the 7 specialist endorsement areas held by Specialist Resource Teachers in year 1 in 2025. Tab to page 2 to see those with more than one role.

"By collaborating with other specialist teachers, working alongside them and gaining a deeper understanding of their roles, I have been able to better support our learners, their whānau, and their schools to access the services and resources they need to thrive."

Sy Baker (Blind & Low Vision, Year 1)

Diverse Workforce

Education in Aotearoa New Zealand is ethnically diverse, and the Specialist Teaching Programme reflects this diversity across endorsement areas for gender, ethnicity and region. Over 400 Specialist Resource Teachers study over the 2 year programme.

The Programme notably has a high percentage of Māori graduates, who are committed to providing culturally sustaining knowledge and resources into local communities.

The visualisation shows gender, ethnicity and region by endorsement area for 2025. Use the arrows to navigate between Years 1 and 2.

"Over the past two years, my practice has grown to be more intentional, collaborative, and grounded in evidence. I have learned with, from, and about others through networked practice and whānau partnerships, aligning my goals closely with the needs of our community. "

Anonymous (Early Intervention, Year 2)

Experienced Educators

Specialist Resource Teachers bring substantial knowledge, skill, and professional insight to their postgraduate study. The Programme is designed to recognise and build on this existing expertise. Part-time study occurs alongside full-time work enabling new learning to be integrated into practice to benefit the wider sector. Experience leads to deeper understanding within and across specialist areas.

The visualisation shows the average years of experience of Specialist Resource Teachers for 2025 within each endorsement area and year (use dropdown)

In Their Own Words

Ellen Buith

Blind & Low Vision

The study has given me more vision specific knowledge and extended my professional network far beyond my colleagues at BLENNZ.

Emma Millet

Complex Educational Needs

The study has provided the drive for me to make changes in my practice to promote inclusion.

Anbu Surasi

Early Intervention

The knowledge and skills gained through this course have helped me confidently navigate my role and find the best possible ways to support tamariki.