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.

 

Click here for the latest updates on Covid-19 for schools and ECE services

Teacher and Principal Hauora Survey

The teacher and principal health and wellbeing surveys 2021 are now open. Previous participants should have received an email from Deakin University. These surveys will help create a robust picture of the health and wellbeing of educators and our school system. 

Find out more and read the FAQs

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. 

NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals' Helpline

The Principals' Helpline, 0508principal (0508 774 624 725) is managed by our Principal Support Officers and operates from 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.


 

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

Upcoming conferences

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.

NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals' Helpline
The Principals' Helpline, 0508principal (0508 7874 624 725) is managed by our Principal Support Officers and operates from 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday. 

Recent news and media

12 Oct 2021: COVID vaccinations vital to keep our educators and tamariki safe

NZEI Te Riu Roa fully supports the Government’s public health advice mandating that all staff in schools and early childhood centres are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by 1 January, 2022 and receive their first dose by 15 November, just Read More

05 Oct 2021: Opening of early childhood centres highlights issues in a sector already under pressure

The union for early childhood teachers says that the Government’s announcement of opening ECE centres tomorrow to bubbles of 10 tamariki urgently needs further detail on how it will work, and how staff and children can stay safe. Read More

01 Oct 2021: Migrant teachers offered residency visa for skills shortage but more needs to be done on pay parity

Migrant ECE teachers and their union have welcomed the news of a one-off residence visa announced today, saying it is a sensible step towards addressing the ECE teacher shortage. Read More

17 Sep 2021: ECE relief teachers present COVID pay petition to Government

A union-backed petition to ensure ECE relief teachers are paid during lockdown, signed by nearly 5,000 teachers and supporters, was delivered to Government via Zoom this afternoon. Read More