New figures show immigration has pushed the national school roll to more than 830,000 students - the biggest jump since the late 90s.
The Ministry of Education's mid-year count reveals almost 16,000 more children have enrolled than last year.
And those tamariki with special needs are missing out.
Jordan Ikitule's son Storm has severe, non-verbal autism.
Storm turned five in August and is ready to start school, but he's still on a waiting list for their local specialist centre.
The family has no option but to enrol Storm at a mainstream school.
"A lot of things that we are afraid of," Ikitule told Newshub.
"It might not be well equipped, he might not have the support that he needs, like obviously he would need a teacher aide by his side for the whole six hours of school."
It's a problem that's affecting families nationwide and schools are feeling the pinch too.
With a massive increase in overall student enrollments this year - up almost 16,000 on last year - it's the biggest increase since records began in 1997.
Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga / The Ministry of Education says that's due to the reopening of Aotearoa's borders and rising immigration.
It says there's also been a rise in children of parents who come to New Zealand on time-limited visas.
Greg Pierce from the Auckland Principals' Association, says the effects are already being felt in Tāmaki Makaurau - which accounted for more than half this year's increase.
"I am aware of some schools who are having to provide extra accommodation, which aren't Ministry-funded, because of the rapid growth, because they can't wait until projected property plans," Pierce told Newshub.
On top of that, they're being forced to turn away lucrative international students and source more teachers to support students who speak English as a second language.
"That puts a drain on your existing staff who are trained with English as second-language instruction."
The incoming Prime Minister says bringing in more migrant teachers is a top priority.
"We want to make sure our immigration is very strongly linked to our economic agenda and our infrastructure supports that level of immigration as well," Christopher Luxon told Newshub.
So parents like Jordan can ensure their children get the support and education they deserve, no matter what their needs are.
