Annual Meeting is the opportunity to see your union in action, to voice your issues and play your part in the democratic process within NZEI.
Welcome from NZEI's National President
Greetings to all 45,000 members of NZEI Te Riu Roa! Annual Meeting is an exciting time of year - the time when we come together to discuss hot issues in our sectors, listen to leaders in education from NZ and around the globe and, most importantly, decide on NZEI policy for the future.
NZEI Te Riu Roa members and staff have been working throughout the year on a huge range of activities, from bargaining collective agreements through to providing advice on the curriculum review. Our reports and papers to Annual Meeting, which can be downloaded in the section below, will give you a good idea of what's been progressed. If you're looking for a quick read and overview, check out the Annual Meeting Supplement.
Your National Executive looks forward to seeing you at Annual Meeting 2006!
Kia Kaha,
Irene Cooper National President Te Manukura
Media and Activities
Wednesday Sepember 27
Abusive student behaviour appears to be a growing issue and support staff working in both primary and secondary schools are often in the front line. To read a release click here
Irene Cooper has been re-elected National President of NZEI Te Riu Roa. To read a release click here
A physiotherapist at a school for students with cerebral palsy and an early childhood head teacher have today been awarded research scholarships by the education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa. To read a release click here
Support staff working with children in schools and early childhood education centres, have today endorsed NZEI’s new guidelines on physical contact with students. To read a release click here
Tuesday Sepember 26
NZEI launches new guidelines on physical contact with students, to assist its members who work as teachers and support staff in schools and early childhood education centres. To read a release click here. To read the guidelines click here.
The Guidelines have attracted widespread media attention:
Radio New Zealand Moming Report, Radio New Zealand Nine to Noon, New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Herald - readers' views Dominion Post, TV One News, TV One Close Up
Minister of Education Steve Maharey extends teacher sabbaticals to part-time staff and congratulates NZEI for being a strong advocate for education. Read a copy of his speech here.
Peter Lind, Director of the Teachers' Council, delivered a speech to Annual Meeting. Read a copy here.
On Tuesday morning the NZEI men's breakfast was held. Tom Cavanagh, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Waikato, gave a speech on the importance of relationship-building in schools. Tom says his research supports what primary schools are already doing - schooling for happiness, which leads to better achievement. Read a copy of his speech here.
Monday September 25
NZEI launches a position paper that sets out its members’ vision for building a quality public education service in New Zealand for the 21st century. To read a release on the launch of QPE 4 21 C: Quality Public Education for the 21st Century click here.A copy of QPE 4 21 C: Quality Public Education for the 21st Century is available under Annual Meeting Resources further down this page.
Susan Hopgood, Federal Secretary of the Australian Education Union, says Australia has undergone a 10-year attack on public education, and the situation is worse now for workers, families, women, Indigenous people, refugees, children and the environment. Read her speech to Annual Meeting here.
Sunday September 24
NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Irene Cooper puts 'a stake in the ground' for quality public education in her opening speech to Annual Meeting. To read a release click here. To read her speech click here.
The head of Scotland's largest education union, the Educational Institute of Scotland, tells Annual Meeting that schools are for sale under the 'school choice' policy being pursued by the British Government. To read a release click here. To read the speech delivered by Ronnie Smith general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland click here.
NZEI Te Riu Roa honours people who have made a significant contribution to education. The awards are presented on the opening day of the Annual Meeting, Sunday Sept 24. To read a media release click here.
World Teachers' Day
World Teachers' Day is October 5, but many NZEI activities at Annual Meeting are related to the principles of the day. Media will be invited to key events. For more on World Teachers' Day, click here.
Other Activities
A variety of other activities will be open to media during NZEI's Annual Meeting. To find out more, contact Nick Hirst on 027 268 3291 or email nick.hirst@nzei.org.nz.
Registration
Your NZEI branch has elected members to attend NZEI's Annual Meeting in September 2006. If you have any questions about your branch's registration, email Jo Huntley at NZEI National Office.
Agendas
You will receive your Annual Meeting agenda in your pack when you arrive. Below are other agendas during and around Annual Meeting.
The Fringe Agenda is new this year. It lists activities planned by members outside of the official Annual Meeting.
Student Teacher and YMN meeting meeting
District Council Chairs meeting
Annual Meeting Resources
The 3 papers to Annual Meeting have been sent to representatives and are now available online! Click to download the PDFs:
QPE 4 21C: Quality Public Education for the 21st Century
The Annual Meeting Supplement was inserted into July's issue of NZEI Rourou.
The Annual Meeting Reports (minus financials, which are confidential to members) are now available on the website. Note that this is a large file and make take some time to download.
Read more about Annual Meeting in recent circulars to branches.
If you attended 2005 Annual Meeting, now is your chance to read (and correct!) the minutes. Make sure you've read Special Circular 20, out to worksites now.
Read NZEI's draft policy document here.
NZEI's Rules are here.