14 May 2025
Engineering New Zealand welcomes the Government’s announcement of a $100 million investment in maths education over the next four years.
“We applaud the investment in maths, which is one of the foundations of STEM education,” says Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer.
“We know that not enough students are studying or passing STEM subjects, and less than a quarter of students are meeting the expected maths curriculum level for their age.”
“We urgently need more students studying and passing STEM subjects like maths. This investment in maths, particularly in the early years of education, is a great first step in lifting STEM achievement in New Zealand.”
Engineering New Zealand is particularly concerned about STEM education as New Zealand faces a long-term shortfall of about 2,300 new engineers each year.
“Not enough young New Zealanders are aspiring to STEM jobs – and we know that students who do not choose or achieve in STEM subjects are unlikely to move into STEM employment pathways,” says Templer.
“We are hopeful that an increase in full-time maths intervention teachers and better tracking of maths achievement with targeted interventions for those who need support will encourage more students into STEM.”
Engineering New Zealand has long advocated for STEM education, with their Wonder Project playing an important role in inspiring young Kiwis with science, technology, engineering and maths.
Engineering New Zealand is also advocating for stronger STEM education, along with engineering tertiary education and profession stability, through its new long-term skills shortage action plan.
The plan highlights key challenges contributing to the shortfall of engineers – such as not enough people completing engineering qualifications, people leaving the profession within the first two years of work, and engineers leaving for opportunities overseas. The current downturn in infrastructure work and engineer job losses are making this long-term shortfall worse.
“We hope the action plan drives others to prioritise addressing the challenges raised. Addressing workforce challenges will require collaboration between professional associations, the government, the education sector, and industry,” says Templer.
