join NZEI

Membership application forms

Teachers, principals, support staff and GSE: Download a membership form or request one by email: membership@nzei.org.nz

Students: Download a student membership form or request one by email: membership@nzei.org.nz. Membership is only $5 a year while you are training!

Join NZEI and make a difference!

With more than 46,000 members, one in every 100 Kiwis is a member of NZEI Te Riu Roa! Together we can support you at work, at home and in the community to ensure you can play your role in delivering high quality education to New Zealand's children.

Because of our size, NZEI has negotiated benefits, including retirement savings on its members behalf.

NZEI understands the work you do. We know about the issues facing education. As your union and professional association, we are a strong and effective voice for quality public education and for the people who are working to provide it.

Join NZEI and make a difference. Download a membership form or request one by email: membership@nzei.org.nz.

NZEI Te Riu Roa has been representing people in education since 1883. Our growing and diverse membership is made up of people working in schools, early childhood centres, special education and teacher support services. We represent the employment and professional interests of a wide range of education professionals, including

primary teachers and principals
area school teachers and principals
support staff and kaiarahi i te reo in early childhood, primary and secondary schools
kindergarten teachers and early childhood teachers
special education staff and advisers.

Download a membership brochure specific to your sector here.

Improving your pay and status

NZEI Te Riu Roa has the collective strength to negotiate improved pay and conditions. We have a proud history of successful campaigning for better status and pay for our members:

In 1998 our members won pay parity for primary teachers with their secondary colleagues
In 2001, NZEI negotiated the first collective agreement for Group Special Education support workers employed by the Ministry of Education
In 2002, kindergarten teachers were awarded pay parity with other teachers
In October 2004, pay parity for early childhood teachers was successfully negotiated for the first time. It covers more than 1500 workers in 150 community/not-for-profit centres as part of an agreement known as the Consenting Parties.
During 2003-4, NZEI field staff recovered thousands of dollars in back pay for support staff who have not been receiving their correct pay and conditions.
In 2004, primary teachers won a significant step forward with paid "classroom release time" as a key feature of their new collective agreement.

Join NZEI and ensure you're getting a fair deal at work. Download a membership form or request one by email: membership@nzei.org.nz.

By joining NZEI you can be sure that …

your pay and conditions are negotiated and enforced effectively (through your collective agreement)
you get support at your workplace when you need it
you can access training seminars, workshops and conferences
advocacy and counselling support is available for employment and personal issues
you get advice on training and qualifications
you get regular opportunities to meet and share experiences with your colleagues through local networks, conferences and seminars, and at NZEI’s local branch, aronui tomua and komiti pasefika meetings.

Membership benefits

As an NZEI member, you are able to access special benefits including low cost health insurance, discounts on electronic goods, holiday units in Rotorua, an NZEI credit card a welfare fund, and generous employer contribution retirement savings schemes. See benefits here.

Your protection at work

Being a member of NZEI Te Riu Roa means being part of a team that acts collectively to support each other. NZEI Te Riu Roa has paid field staff and voluntary Members' Support Teams working throughout New Zealand to support you. Our industrial advocates are skilled and experienced negotiators. As a member, you are involved and kept informed during the negotiation of your collective employment agreement. Remember, you can only be covered by the NZEI Te Riu Roa-negotiated agreement at your workplace if you are a member of the union.

NZEI Te Riu Roa is there for your protection. You can't afford not to join! Download a membership form or request one by email: membership@nzei.org.nz.

Strength through diversity

At NZEI Te Riu Roa we believe in the vital contribution all education staff make in providing a quality learning environment for children at every level of their education. We represent teachers and principals, school support staff, kindergarten and early childhood centre teachers, Kaiarahi i te reo, assistants to teachers of students with severe disabilities and special education assistants, Group Special Education managers, field staff and support workers, advisers and specialists.

Support is just a phone call away

NZEI Te Riu Roa has skilled field officers and takawaenga who visit workplaces and keep in touch with members, providing advice, information and advocacy. They ensure your interests are protected. Working from NZEI offices throughout New Zealand , they are just a phone call away.

There is an NZEI worksite representative at almost every worksite where NZEI has members. All worksite representatives have the opportunity to attend training courses designed to assist them to be effective in their role of supporting members.

Esekia Taufao , teacher's aide, Otahuhu Primary School, Auckland: " I’ve only praise for the continued support and guidance I receive from NZEI Te Riu Roa ’s Pacific Island network and the union as a whole.”

In your area there is also a Members' Support Personnel team made up of counsellors and advocates - NZEI Te Riu Roa members trained in giving confidential employment-related support and counselling services.

Reflecting your interests

NZEI Te Riu Roa is a democratic organisation in which people working in education support each other on professional and employment matters. Members elect their representatives. Involvement begins in the workplace and continues through local branches, aronui tomoa or komiti pasefika and district councils to the union's National Executive and Maori Council, Te Reo Areare.

Jackie Hawthorne , Librarian, Northcote College , Auckland:“I’ve become involved in the union over the years at my branch, regional and national level. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and found it very empowering.. I’ve appreciated that members can have real input and influence over the direction of the union if we put in the effort and get involved.”

Sector networks ensure the needs of all members are understood and reflected throughout NZEI Te Riu Roa. Advisory groups provide policy advice to the National Executive, monitor professional concerns and play a key role in the negotiation of employment agreements, recruitment and netowkring.

NZEI Te Riu Roa is committed to honouring and giving effect to the Treaty of Waitangi within education and inside the union. The union's Maori structures are supported in their work to improve the quality of Maori education.

Maude George , Kaiarahi I Te Reo, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rawhiti Roa , Whangarei: “I really enjoy participating in my local Aronui Tomua hui – NZEI doesn’t simply adopt a ‘one size fits all’ model, instead we can participate in the union in a way that is comfortable for us. I value the Maori strand within NZEI Te Riu Roa and the union’s commitment to Maori education.”

Influencing education policies

NZEI Te Riu Roa plays an active part in developing national education policies, promoting high professional standards and the best education for children.

Giarne Clark, teacher, Christchurch: "Working with other NZEI colleagues to lobby MPs on student debt issues has been hard work but rewarding."

NZEI representatives…

meet regularly with Ministers, Members of Parliament and government officials participate in government working parties and groups that are developing education policies
lobby Government about issues that members feel strongly about
make submissions on key policy and legislation.

Keeping you informed

NZEI provides regular news and information to all members through its own newspaper, NZEI Rourou, and this website. We also keep you informed through conferences and seminars, research and reports, and updates sent regularly to your worksite about education and employment-related issues.

NZEI also communicates regularly with your employer to ensure that they are aware of he rights and entitlements of unionised staff.

Retiring or Resigning?

You can keep up your membership of NZEI and your EBS Medical Insurance benefit entitlements even if you are retiring or resigning by becoming an honorary member of NZEI for just $20 a year (or $45 if you wish to continue receiving Rourou). Contact membership@nzei.org.nz for more information.

What does it cost?

See NZEI Subscription rates here

Honorary Membership Subscription

$10.00 per annum or $35.00 per annum if you wish to receive NZEI Rourou.