Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The New Zealand Kindergartens has said that "This is just so exciting for us and has been a long time coming. It's such good news on the back of what we've been going through with COVID-19 and a great boost and recognition for our staff who have been working so hard during this time to support our tamariki and our community." The Early Childhood Council has applauded the Government for reinstating this band, saying "We're delighted to see two sizable investments within a week after several years of ECE under funding". It is with great humility that I saw the comment from the New Zealand Educational Institute, who said, "The Minister signed a pledge before the last election to restore this funding, so we're really pleased to see him follow through and make early childhood education a top priority after a decade of neglect that's gone before."