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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for members

We've pulled together the the most up to date information for members about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects people working in education.

David Stewart Memorial Scholarship

A joint initiative of NZEI Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation, this $20,000 scholarship is awarded to honour the work of the late Dr David Stewart who was well known for promoting the role of principals and teachers as reflective practitioners focused on helping children's learning.

Applications close May 2020

Join NZEI Te Riu Roa now

Ako - The language issue

The new summer issue of AKO – our journal for education professionals – is out now! It’s all about language and its connections to literacy, communication and identity.

Read the latest issue here.

Our campaigns

ECE Voice

Early childhood teachers so an incredibly important job. But their pay is up to 49% 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 our voices with ours and have your say.

Vote to add your voice here

Support Staff Making a Difference

Teacher aides, admin, other support staff and kaiārahi i te Reo have voted to accept their collective agreement offers from the Ministry of Education, with the Living Wage of $21.15 as the new minimum pay rate.

Find out about the settlement here.

Mana Taurite - Pay equity

Teacher aides began their negotiations for a pay equity settlement in December 2019. Work is still progressing on our early childhood teachers, kaiārahi i te reo and administration claims.
Keep an eye out here for updates on our pay equity claims.

Learn more about the campaign

Join the pay equity pledge