Andrew Little says support staff are vital to the running of schools - and many teachers couldn't do the jobs they do without teacher aides in their class.

The Labour Party leader is supporting the call of 500 principals, who've written an open letter to the Government pleading for more funding for support staff.

He said there are lots of kids who need extra help in the classroom - whether that's medical, behavioural or keeping focused.

Little said schools are being further squeezed, the pressure's on, and this Government shows no sign of caring at all about this very important part of our education spend.

He said the Government has been under-funding schools' operating budgets, and there was nothing more for them last week.

Little said operational funding has been increased by less than the rate of inflation in this Budget.