SLANZA is deeply concerned by the proposed cuts to National Library and Archives New Zealand (ALNZ), including a reported 36% reduction in the National Library Community Engagement and Learning Team that currently supports school libraries across Aotearoa.
These changes come at a time when strong literacy support, equitable access to information, and professional library expertise are more important than ever for student learning and wellbeing.
We also want to acknowledge the significant uncertainty this review creates for ALNZ staff, many of whom are highly valued and respected colleagues whose expertise, dedication, and commitment have strengthened school libraries and learning communities across the motu for many years.
In response to the proposed changes, SLANZA has issued the following media statement, highlighting the potential impact on school libraries, library staff, and the students they serve, while standing in solidarity with those affected by the review

Media Statement
​PROPOSED NATIONAL LIBRARY CHANGES WILL SEVERELY IMPACT SCHOOL LIBRARIES - 3 September 2026
The School Library Association Of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) is warning that the proposed 36% cut to the number of National Library Community Engagement and Learning Team will severely impact services to hundreds of school libraries across Aotearoa.
"We are extremely concerned that reductions will weaken the infrastructure supporting school libraries in the face of increasing challenges in literacy, advocacy, and student engagement with reading," says SLANZA President, Trena Lile.
The National Library Capability Facilitators provide equitable access to high-quality library expertise and resources, professional guidance, and sector leadership to Aotearoa's school libraries that cannot be replicated elsewhere; without this strong support, school libraries are vulnerable.
SLANZA is talking with sector partners, including LIANZA and PLNZ, where there is a shared concern about the potential loss of expertise and capability.
Declining literacy rates in New Zealand demand that students are increasingly supported in the literacy space, not have services and access to resources reduced.
SLANZA urges the government to mandate that every student have access to a well-resourced school library and a specialised librarian, to ensure that all students will have equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential.  
 
Contact:
Trena Lile, SLANZA Manukura | President
[email protected]

Supporting links for more information:

• https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2609/S00013/our-precious-history-under-threat-as-national-library-and-archives-face-more-govt-cuts.htm 
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1230984/almost-50-jobs-could-go-at-national-library-and-archives-psa-warns
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/1244704/students-could-miss-out-if-national-library-staff-cuts-go-ahead-librarians-say​
• https://www.lianza.org.nz/resources/lianza-news/lianza-statement-on-proposed-changes-at-the-national-library-and-archives-new-zealand/

Hundreds of thousands of students are missing out on the resources they need to succeed after new research exposes significant, widespread inequities and disparities in access to school library services across Aotearoa.

This latest research was conducted by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), on behalf of the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) and National Library Services to Schools. In response to this report SLANZA calls for urgent action to ensure every child has equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential. 

“Students attending small schools, rural schools, as well as those in communities facing higher socio-economic challenges, are disproportionately affected, often missing out on access to school library spaces, resources and services," says Sasha Eastwood, SLANZA Interim Manukura | President.

Compounding these inequities, the research highlights clear disparities between the expectations of school leaders and their ability to provide access to a library and specialised librarian.

“While many principals recognise the vital role that libraries and specialised librarians play in supporting student learning and wellbeing, insufficient funding and competing priorities often prevent these goals from being achieved,” explains Sasha.

“Previous research has shown that school libraries contribute to increased student achievement, greater reading engagement, and improved mental health - all of which are key cross-government priorities. Dedicated funding is essential to secure equal access for all students in Aotearoa, regardless of their postcode,” says Sasha.

SLANZA urges the government to mandate that every student have access to a well-resourced school library and a specialised librarian, to ensure that all students will have equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential.

Contact: Sasha Eastwood, SLANZA Interim Manukura | President [email protected]

Link to the research: https://www.slanza.org.nz/school-libraries-research-project.html

The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) is pleased to see reading remains a core component of the draft English curriculum released this week, but is concerned that the lack of resourcing for school libraries limits its potential success. 

“The draft curriculum requires teachers to ‘choose texts that expose students to a wide range of genres, reflect the languages and cultures of students, and explore the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific’,” explains SLANZA President, Sasha Eastwood.

“To provide this variety of texts demands access to a well-resourced school library with a specialised librarian to aid teachers and students in making these choices, and to ensure that this choice is indeed possible,” says Sasha. 

Likewise, the draft curriculum requires reading for enjoyment and reading aloud to be part of students’ everyday experiences and SLANZA agrees that these are key to developing literacy and a love of reading.  

Yet it is currently estimated that two-thirds of students in Aotearoa do not have access to a school librarian, the key person to champion and bring the magic of literacy to life for them. 
 
“SLANZA is concerned that without access to school libraries and specialised librarians to promote, encourage, and facilitate the enjoyment of reading, the potential of any literacy programme or strategy will always be limited,” says Sasha. 
 
SLANZA urges the government to mandate that every student have access to a well-resourced school library and specialised librarian, to ensure that all students have equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential.   

Contact: Sasha Eastwood - [email protected]

Ngā manaakitanga
SLANZA Advocacy Ohu Mahi

Media Release 30 May 2024 
Building on Structured Literacy: The Need to Fund School Libraries

The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) is concerned by the absence of funding in today’s budget announcement for essential school library resources to address the falling literacy rates in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

“Whilst we applaud the allocation of funds to structured literacy programmes, we are concerned that without access to school libraries and specialised librarians to promote and encourage reading for pleasure, the potential of literacy programmes will always be limited.” says Sasha Eastwood, SLANZA Interim President.

“Today’s funding announcement is an encouraging first step in supporting our ākonga to learn to read, however, school libraries are essential to ensure that the building blocks of structured literacy are strengthened by developing the joy of reading, increasing reading comprehension, empathy, and the capacity to learn.” continues Sasha.  

SLANZA urges the government to mandate that every student have access to a well-resourced school library, funded by the Ministry of Education, and staffed by a specialised school librarian. This way all students will have equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential.  

The Education Minister has previously stated, “our education system should be the great equaliser. Your means should not determine your destiny.” SLANZA would argue that school libraries are the greatest equaliser, in that equitable access to books and reading for pleasure is crucial to every student’s literacy and learning success.
 
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Contact – Sasha Eastwood, SLANZA Interim President – [email protected]