Annabelle Waugh is the deputy principal of Centennial Park School, Te Kūiti. Photo Sigrid Christiansen
NZEI Te Riu Roa members have voted to accept the Government’s most recent offer to teachers.
The agreement means an industrial campaign lasting more than a year, including what the union has called the “largest education strike in [New Zealand] history,” is now over.
The resulting changes will alleviate teachers’ workload and improve their ability to support students.
“The offer more than doubled our release time. [This] means we can do a lot of work that we normally take home, such as marking, planning and resource preparation,” Centennial Park School deputy principal Annabelle Waugh said.
Release time will be increased from 10 to 25 hours a term in the new agreement.
“We’ll be more positive and energetic … instead of being a bit tired because we’re up marking or writing reports until one o’clock in the morning.”
She said that would be “huge” for teachers’ mental well-being, with flow-on effects for students.
“I think if you have a healthier and happier teacher, you’re going to have a happy classroom.”
Increases in the Māori Immersion Teacher Allowance were also welcomed at the school, as were changes to the way local history could be taught.
Annabelle said there was a sense of relief that the negotiation process had come to a conclusion.
“I can’t speak for all teachers, but we were getting tired of the interruptions to schooling, especially for our families, coming not long after the Covid interruptions. Having further disruptions due to our actions kind of went against the grain.
“A huge mihi to our school community who supported us, and looked after the children during times such as we went on strike. I thank them for their support and understanding.”
NZEI president Mark Potter is pleased to see the Government addressing key issues for educators.
“The work demands on teachers have sky-rocketed in the last couple of decades and this [changes to release time provisions in particular] means teachers will have more time to plan, assess and do individual work with students.”
Mark said moving a cap on reliever teacher pay rates was also a win for schools.
“This is a step toward paying experienced relief teachers fairly and should make it easier for schools to find relievers.”
The two-year settlement also reflects “real progress” in pay for the profession, according to Education Minister Jan Tinetti.
“The offer addresses many of the concerns teachers have raised, goes towards easing cost of living pressures and shows how much this Government values the teaching workforce,” she said.
“It includes pay rises of 18.3% for a starting teacher and up to 11.1% for an experienced teacher. Above this, teachers will also be provided with one off payments of up to $4500 in July.
Changes to teachers’ pay will be effective from July 3, 2023.
