Vouchers and the privatisation of New Zealand education

Abstract

There has been increasing discussion regarding the place of educational vouchers in the resourcing of New Zealand schools and whether their introduction could lead to the privatisation of state schools. This article examines the issues associated with the introduction of a voucher scheme in New Zealand and the potential for the privatisation of state schooling that could occur. Examples of some voucher schemes implemented overseas are examined and arguments both for and against the use of vouchers for schooling are presented. These arguments, when considered within the current economic context of New Zealand schooling, suggest that the adoption of vouchers in New Zealand would be both fiscally and socially detrimental.