Māori Immersion Allowance

Learn about the Māori Immersion Allowance, which you’ll 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

Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Māori Immersion Allowance.

Primary principals

If you’re required to teach in te Reo Māori immersion classes at levels 1, 2 or 3 you’ll receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum. A further allowance may be payable following 3 years’ continuous service.

The allowance is set out in clause 6.2.6 of the 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’ll receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum. Further allowances are paid once you’ve completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

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

Clause 3.17 – Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement

Secondary teachers

If you’re 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’ll receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum.

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

Clause 4.18 – Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement

Area school principals

If you’re required to teach in te Reo Māori immersion classes at levels 1, 2 or 3 you’ll receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum. Further allowances are paid once you’ve completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

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

Clause 3.5 – Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement

Area school teachers

If you 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’ll receive an allowance of $4,000 per annum. Further allowances are paid once you’ve completed 3 years’ and 6 years’ continuous service.

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

Clause 3.14 – Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement

Definition of levels 1-3 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’s 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.

Note: A school which is offering Māori as a subject only would not meet the level 3 immersion criteria.

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