We are the 48,000+ principals, teachers, support staff and other education professionals who work in primary, area and secondary schools, early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services.

We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand’s largest education union, a Treaty-based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.

Support Staff Week 8-11 Week

Support Staff week is coming up soon! Check in soon for resources and in the meantime, let us know on our Facebook page how you're planning to whakanui support staff in your school, kura, kindergarten or centre!

Click here to find out more.

Ngā Aukaha All in for Tamariki

If a child requires support in order to thrive at school and in their early childhood education, they should receive it. Whether that support is provided by an external physiotherapist or a psychologist or an in-school or centre teacher or support staff, it should be available to our tamariki. Sign up now to tautoko the campaign calling for all tamariki to receive the support they deserve. 

Hauora Health and Wellbeing 2020 survey report

The reports from the 2020 Teachers' and Principals' health and wellbeing surveys are now available. You can read the key findings and the full report here. 


 

Our campaigns

ECE Voice

Early childhood teachers so an incredibly important job. But their pay is up to 31.8% behind kindergarten and primary with the same skills, qualifications and responsibilities. That's not OK. We believe every teacher is worth it and that the government needs to act now to fix the gap. 

If you agree, join your voice with ours and have your say. 

Sign up to add your voice here 

Te Ake Rautangi

Kōhanga Reo kaimahi bring incredible skills and experience to an important kaupapa for tamariki Māori, but right now many kaimahi aren't paid in a way that recognises their value and upholds their mana.   

Sign up now to tautoko the campaign.

Mana Taurite - Pay equity

The Pay Equity Amendment Act 2020 has opened up new opportunities across the education sector - find out about our 10 new pay equity claims to ensure the work of women is no longer undervalued! 

Learn more about the campaign

Find out about PLD for teacher aides

Events

Get help


Contact our member advisory officers

Call us between 8.30am and 5.00pm on freephone 0800 693 443, or email nzei@nzei.org.nz for confidential advice.

Recent news and media

10 Jun 2021: Report: NZ's primary school staffing model a barrier to achieving the goals of a modern education s

A landmark report released today recommends bold changes to staffing in New Zealand primary schools to address equity issues preventing our children reaching their potential. Read More

27 May 2021: New research shows teacher and principal health and wellbeing much worse than general population

Results from NZEI Te Riu Roa’s 2020 Health and Wellbeing Survey show that workload related stress for both principals and teachers is at a level far exceeding the general population. Read More

20 May 2021: NZEI Te Riu Roa: Budget education spending a missed opportunity to address inequities for tamariki a

NZEI Te Riu Roa says more must be done to address decades of underspending that have compounded the impacts of inequality on tamariki and people working in education. Read More

20 May 2021: Education union welcomes improved sick leave entitlements

NZEI Te Riu Roa is welcoming last night's law change improving sick leave, increasing the minimum legal entitlement to ten days. Read More