Categories: News

Area teachers to join strikes

Area teachers are joining their primary and area school principal colleagues in industrial action.

The results of the area teacher strike ballot are in: area teachers will join their primary and area school principal colleagues in industrial action this term.

According to NZEI Te Riu Roa, the area teacher strikes will include a relief teacher work ban, a ban on after-hours work meetings and rolling strikes from Tuesday 9 May to Thursday 11 May.

Area teachers in the NZEI Te Riu Roa union will join area teachers undertaking strike action with the PPTA Te Wehengarua Secondary Teachers union. 

Read the Term 1 edition of School News HERE.

Area school teacher and member of the negotiation team Kaareen Hotereni, says “members do not take the decision to strike lightly but we are frustrated that the Government is moving so slowly on our claims.

“Tamariki deserve teachers who have the time and resources to ensure that all students and their whānau are well supported in their school journey.” 

The industrial action vote from area school teachers follows the action taken by primary and area school principals, who are weeks into their two month work ban which began on Monday 24 April, the first day of Term Two. 

Although only one offer has been made to area school teachers so far, back in December 2022, negotations with the Ministry of Education are set to continue at the end of next week. 

If a satisfactory offer is made, area school teachers have indicated industrial action may be called off. 

Naomii Seah

Naomii Seah is a writer and journalist from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been covering education in New Zealand since 2022.

Recent Posts

English curriculum draft out for consultation

The much-delayed English draft curriculum is now out for consultation, generating discussion from teachers.

2 weeks ago

Arts, culture and recreation positive for the wellbeing of rangatahi

Research from AUT demonstrates arts, culture and recreation have positive impacts on all aspects of…

2 weeks ago

School phone ban one year on: our student survey reveals mixed feelings about its success

How effective has the school phone ban been in achieving its aims? Researchers from the…

2 weeks ago

Learning growing and exploring with school camps and excursions

School camps and excursions deliver hands on learning experiences, helping to consolidate classroom learning.

2 weeks ago

Could an AV system improve learning outcomes and student engagement?

Innovations in AV technologies present new opportunities to engage with students. We look at how…

2 weeks ago

What makes a good teacher?

A new report from the University of Auckland’s Our Voices Project asks young people what…

3 weeks ago