Primary school teachers and principals have rejected a pay offer from the Government and have voted to strike. It was announced on Tuesday that members of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) voted "overwhelmingly in favour" of stopping work for half a day on August 15.
They are now discussing whether to extend it to a full-day strike, as some members don't think striking from 1:30pm to 4:30pm would send a strong enough message, according to NZEI lead negotiator Liam Rutherford.
They were offered a pay rise over three years from the Ministry of Education, but votes taken at paid union meetings in June showed the majority have opted to reject it. The offered pay rise ranged from a 6.1 percent increase for the top of the pay scale, which would have made the maximum teacher's salary about $80,600, to a 14.7 percent increase to the entry salary, bringing that to $55,030. NZEI says 86 percent of teachers have been offered a pay increase of just 2.2 to 2.6 percent a year for three years. The teachers' union originally asked for a 16 percent pay rise over two years in an attempt to solve New Zealand's teacher shortage. Members also asked for more time to teach and for additional support for students with special learning needs. Under the Ministry of Education's offer teachers would be given just 12 additional minutes per week to work individually with children or to plan and mark work, according to NZEI. It also says the union's request for funding for a Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in every school was ignored by the Ministry. NZEI will continue negotiations with the Ministry in the coming weeks to try to reach a settlement. Louise Green, NZEI lead negotiator for principals, says school staff are very conscious of how a strike may inconvenience students and their families. "We're taking action now to avert the very real threat of larger class sizes within just a few years."
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Amazingly quiet night in Green Bay
All the Best for the New Year! The last few years they started banging days earlier already, but this year it was amazingly quiet. Now either people suddenly got smart and care about animals and the environment (which I don’t believe for a second) or it’s the clearest sign of the Cost of Living Crisis we are in. I’m just glad I can make a damn fine bread for under a dollar.
The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand
Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!
Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here
The Team at Stuff
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
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19.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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70% Nah - not for me
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