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As specialist schools for students with disabilities receive a funding boost, questions remain over the pressure on mainstream schools providing for students with special needs.
This year's Budget includes $89m to redevelop specialist day schools, and bolster capacity for them to have more satellite classrooms in mainstream schools.
Advocates say securing a spot in a day school or even a satellite classroom is difficult.
Maureen Poulter is principal of Christchurch's Ferndale Te Ahu School. Last year, her specialist school had to turn down 79% of applications, due to a lack of space.
She speaks with Kathryn Ryan, along with Barbara Bowen, principal of Tāhunanui Primary School in Nelson, which has a satellite learning unit connected to nearby Maitai School.
