We are the 48,000+ principals, teachers and support staff 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.

Joint strike action

At a round of meetings during 6-10 May 2019, primary teachers and principals voted overwhelmingly to hold joint strike action with secondary teachers on 29 May.

Rally and march details

Strike action FAQs

Contact your local MP

To win the Kua Tae Te Wā campaign, we have to get the government to listen to us, understand what we're saying, and take the bold action needed to address our claims. We each have our own personal stories of life as a teacher in 2019, and we want you to share these with your local MP.

Tips for contacting your MP

Use our online tool to contact your MP

AKO Journal: For education professionals

Ako, the professional journal for 50,000 educators who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa. In te ao Māori, the concept of ako means both to teach and to learn.

Read the summer issue online

Our campaigns

Two young teachers holding 'It's time' lollipops

Kua tae te wā - It's time

This year we'll continue making the message loud and clear: It’s Time. Time to lead, teach and learn. This means freeing primary teachers to teach so every child receives the personal attention they need to learn and thrive. It means freeing primary principals to focus on leading and it means ensuring we have enough teachers by attracting more people to teaching, by respecting them as professionals and paying them properly.

Learn more about the campaign

Frequently asked questions

Every child is worth it

We think that every child is worth the best early childhood education New Zealand can possibly provide, and a great start in life. We want the Government to restore per-child funding and commit to 100% qualified teachers in every ECE service. New Zealand can afford to provide quality ECE. That's why we campaign for quality, teacher-led ECE as a right for every child.

Learn more about the campaign

Our 10-year strategic plan for ECE

Mana Taurite - Pay equity

No matter who you are or what kind of work you do, you deserve to be paid fairly for your work. But for women, achieving fair pay has been a long, hard battle that isn't over yet. Despite the passing of the Equal Pay Act 40 years ago, women are still paid $4 an hour less, on average, than men. In many cases that's because work that's traditionally done by women - such as caring and working with young children - has been historically undervalued.

Learn more about the campaign

Join the pay equity pledge

Events

This year's conferences and meetings

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

15 May 2019: NZEI Te Riu Roa consulting with members on facilitation

NZEI Te Riu Roa primary principal and teacher members are being urgently consulted on whether their negotiating teams should return to facilitation with the Ministry of Education through the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). Read More

12 May 2019: Teachers vote for joint strike on 29 May

Primary and secondary teachers across New Zealand have both voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking joint strike action on 29 May. Read More

08 May 2019: Worrying increase in threats and violence against school leaders

A significant increase in threats and actual violence towards school leaders over the past two years is alarming, and highlights the desperate need for Budget 2019 to fund more support for children with learning and behaviour needs, says NZEI Te Riu Read More

06 May 2019: Independent polling shows strong and consistent support for teachers

An independent public poll shows there is strong and sustained support for New Zealand's teachers as they vote this week on joint strike action. Read More