Limited Authorities to Teach (LATs)

A LAT is not a type of teacher registration; it is a separate category of authority for a person to work in a teaching position for a specified period of time.

If the following is true:

• The position is a  teaching one, and
• There is a written job description, and
• A registered teacher cannot be found,
  

then the position may be offered, on a temporary basis, to a person who can apply for a LAT.

NZEI accepts LATs only as a short term measure in some specialist areas, and in kura and early childhood centres where there may be teacher shortage due to the changes in teacher  registration requirements.  NZEI opposes the graining of LATs for periods of more then one year, believing longer LATs mask teacher shortage.

Resources:   NZEI checklist for employers on LATs (0.6mb pdf)   NZTC LAT application TC4 form and guide (www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz)