The country's teacher pipeline is showing signs of recovery. 

Education Minister Erica Stanford is crediting the School Onsite Training Programme for a 40% jump in the number of Kiwis training to be teachers between 2023 and now. 

But the current figure of 4,500 is still well below the 6,800 training in 2010. 

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens there are jobs waiting for those entering the profession. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The country's teacher pipeline is showing signs of recovery.&nbsp;
Education Minister Erica Stanford is crediting the School Onsite Training Programme for a 40% jump in the number of Kiwis training to be teachers between 2023 and now.&nbsp;
But the current figure of 4,500 is still well below the 6,800 training in 2010.&nbsp;
PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens there are jobs waiting for those entering the profession.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President on the 40% jump in people training to be teachers since 2023

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d306b7b9-9830-4abc-974f-b4dc0173de40/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, the Green Party is not happy with National's benefit policy, Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menedez March explains why. 

The trans-tasman rivalry’s back at Eden Park, CEO Nick Sautner tells Andrew what to look out for. 

Labour say they have a plan to tackle unfair plane ticket costs, NZ Herald Aviation Journalist John Weekes tells Andrew if the plan is viable. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Police accept warrants used to search the home of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor were unlawful and Germany will face threats together, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said as he announced a series of defence and security partnerships. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, the Green Party is not happy with National's benefit policy, Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menedez March explains why.&nbsp;
The trans-tasman rivalry’s back at Eden Park, CEO Nick Sautner tells Andrew what to look out for.&nbsp;
Labour say they have a plan to tackle unfair plane ticket costs, NZ Herald Aviation Journalist John Weekes tells Andrew if the plan is viable.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Police accept warrants used to search the home of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor were unlawful and Germany will face threats together, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said as he announced a series of defence and security partnerships.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 09 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/34b63ce7-76d9-4233-a039-b4dd011a499a/transcript

Labour's making big promises in aviation if re-elected. 

The Party would require airlines to publish airfares including every fee upfront - making the full cost clear.

It would mandate automatic refunds when big airlines like Air New Zealand and Jetstar cancel or significantly change flights - and for them to publish data on cancellations and delays.

New Zealand Herald Aviation Journalist John Weekes shares his thoughts with Andrew Dickens. 

Labour's making big promises in aviation if re-elected.&nbsp;
The Party would require airlines to publish airfares including every fee upfront - making the full cost clear.
It would mandate automatic refunds when big airlines like Air New Zealand and Jetstar cancel or significantly change flights - and for them to publish data on cancellations and delays.
New Zealand Herald Aviation Journalist John Weekes shares his thoughts with Andrew Dickens.&nbsp;

John Weekes: New Zealand Herald Aviation Journalist on Labour promising greater transparency on airline fees

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e033b2b3-caf5-4e73-96c2-b4dd011b1d0f/transcript

I had to chuckle after yesterday's interview with Mr Abercrombie from the PPTA who grudgingly accepted that improvements to the education sector by the government is a factor in teacher registrations being up 40 per cent this year 

Mr Abercrombie, other industry advocates and the Labour led opposition have been dead set against the changes but now they’re slowly admitting that things are better 

It makes you wonder why they were so negative from the get-go, and I can only put it down to tribalism 

If it’s an idea from the right, it has to be evil and wrong and bad for the kids and the vulnerable 

Now this is also a weakness on the right. The Coalition spent the first year merrily throwing out any initiatives from the previous government whether it had good aspects or not. 

The us good, them bad narrative is childish. And expensive and slowing us down

3 Waters was thrown out and replaced with the same thing, the only difference being it’s voluntary with no governance.  The upshot is that we’re even further behind in finding funds to fix our water supply 

I could go on. 

The cancelled ferries when the problem was actually the gold-plated ports 

Chris Hipkins big mistake in the leader's debate was to threaten to throw out an hour of tuition of the basics if they get in.  A policy that is popular with parents and Mr Abercrombie even said works 

These flip flops from all sides are exhausting

When National won the last election, they said the adults are back. Well, when is that actually going to happen. 

I had to chuckle after yesterday's interview with Mr Abercrombie from the PPTA who grudgingly accepted that improvements to the education sector by the government is a factor in teacher registrations being up 40 per cent this year&nbsp;
Mr Abercrombie, other industry advocates and the Labour led opposition have been dead set against the changes but now they’re slowly admitting that things are better&nbsp;
It makes you wonder why they were so negative from the get-go, and I can only put it down to tribalism&nbsp;
If it’s an idea from the right, it has to be evil and wrong and bad for the kids and the vulnerable&nbsp;
Now this is also a weakness on the right. The Coalition spent the first year merrily throwing out any initiatives from the previous government whether it had good aspects or not.&nbsp;
The us good, them bad narrative is childish. And expensive and slowing us down
3 Waters was thrown out and replaced with the same thing, the only difference being it’s voluntary with no governance. &nbsp;The upshot is that we’re even further behind in finding funds to fix our water supply&nbsp;
I could go on.&nbsp;
The cancelled ferries when the problem was actually the gold-plated ports&nbsp;
Chris Hipkins big mistake in the leader's debate was to threaten to throw out an hour of tuition of the basics if they get in. &nbsp;A policy that is popular with parents and Mr Abercrombie even said works&nbsp;
These flip flops from all sides are exhausting
When National won the last election, they said the adults are back. Well, when is that actually going to happen.&nbsp;

Andrew Dickens: These flip flops from the right and the left need to stop

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3a87e18a-5c00-4071-9fff-b4dd01197761/transcript

Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President on the 40% jump in people training to be teachers since 2023

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