2026 Investment Advice to TEC

Each year, we provide investment advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to inform funding decisions for the qualifications and credentials that align with Muka Tangata industries in the people food and fibre sector.

Our advice guides TEC on whether it should increase or decrease investment in specific qualifications and credentials.

Read our investment advice which details our expectations for how providers will work with us, our pan-sector advice, and specific investment advice for each of our 14 industry groupings.

Key drivers of the advice

• Most industries saw workforce growth pre-COVID, but learner numbers declined during the same period. Low retention rates have caused the supply pipeline to fall short of demand for skilled workers. MPI expect a shift in required skills, with a higher demand for skilled workers, especially managers and semi-autonomous roles, even in industries with stable or decreasing workforces.
• The Government aims to double export value in the next 10 years. The food and fibre sector, which accounts for over 80% of exports, will play a key role in achieving this goal. This requires both more workers and higher productivity. Skills acquisition and training are essential for improving productivity, focusing on upskilling the existing workforce as well as training new workers.
• More skilled kaimahi Māori will be important for achieving the Government’s goal to double the value of exports over the next ten years. Given that, by 2040, about one quarter of the potential workforce under 40 will be Māori, the ways in which the VET system works for ongoing Māori training and skill development is essential. For more detailed information on Māori in the food and fibre sector, please have a look at Te Haumako – our Māori Workforce Development Plan.