Māori immersion allowance

Learn about the Māori immersion allowance, which you will be paid if you meet the criteria set out in your employment agreement.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Inform

  • Teachers and Kaiako
  • Principals and Tumuaki
  • Boards

Definition of Māori immersion

Level 1

Level 1: Maintenance programmes (81% to 100% immersion):

  • te reo Māori is the principal language of communication and instruction
  • the principal curriculum is taught entirely in Māori.

It’s expected that all students in the programme will interact freely in Māori.

Level 2

Level 2: Development programmes (51% to 80% immersion):

  • te reo Māori is, for most of the time, the language of communication and instruction
  • English is accepted as a temporary language of instruction and communication
  • there is an agreement between the school and parents that the programme will achieve a particular level of immersion over a specified period of time
  • the level of fluency of the teacher will vary considerably from not very fluent to native-like fluency
  • there’s a reliance on kaiarahi reo to increase the amount of spoken Māori in the programme.

It’s expected that not all students in the programme will interact freely in Māori.

Level 3

Level 3: Emerging programmes (31% to 50% immersion):

  • English is the main language of communication and instruction
  • the teacher can communicate at a basic level of Māori, but has difficulty instructing in Māori
  • Māori is used as the classroom management language
  • an increase in the level of immersion is restricted by the level of fluency of the teacher
  • a kaiarahi reo is usually the only fluent speaker in the programme.

A school which is offering Māori as a subject only would not meet Level 3 immersion criteria.

Primary principals

If you are required to teach in te reo Māori immersion classes at levels 1, 2 or 3, you will receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

Additional allowances may be payable following 3 years’ continuous service.

The allowance is set out in clause 6.2.6 of your collective agreement.

Clause 6.2.6 - Primary Principals' Collective Agreement

Primary teachers

If you’re required to teach in te reo Māori immersion classes at levels 1, 2 or 3, you will receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

Additional allowances are paid once you have completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

The allowance is set out in clause 3.17 of your collective agreement.

Clause 3.17 – Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement

Secondary teachers

If you are required to use te reo Māori for at least 6 hours per week in approved Māori immersion programmes at levels 1, 2 or 3, you will receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

The allowance is set out in clause 4.18 of your collective agreement.

Clause 4.18 – Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement

Area school principals

If you are required to teach in te reo Māori immersion classes at levels 1, 2 or 3, you will receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

Additional allowances are paid once you have completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

The allowance is set out in clause 3.5 of your collective agreement.

Clause 3.5 – Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement

Area school teachers

If you are required to use te reo Māori for at least 6 hours per week in approved Māori immersion programmes at levels 1, 2 or 3, you will receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

Additional allowances are paid once you have completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

The allowance is set out in clause 3.14 of your collective agreement.

Clause 3.14 – Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement

 

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