Principals and teachers

This directory supports boards and school teaching staff to understand the rights and responsibilities that are associated with their roles.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Inform

  • Boards
  • Principals and Tumuaki
  • Teachers and Kaiako
  • Administrators

Boards and school staff must comply with the requirements set out in employment agreements.

Primary schools

Primary principals in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by either the Primary Principals’ (NZEI TRR) Collective Agreement or the Primary Principals' (PPCBU) Collective Agreement, or an individual employment agreement (IEA) with similar terms and conditions as the PPCA.

Primary principals

Primary teachers in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by the terms and conditions of either the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA) with similar terms and conditions as the PTCA.

Primary teachers

Secondary schools

Secondary principals in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by the terms and conditions of either the Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement (SPCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA) with similar terms and conditions as the SPCA. 

Secondary principals

Secondary teachers in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by the terms and conditions of either the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA) with similar terms and conditions as the STCA.

Secondary teachers

Area schools

Area school principals in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by either the Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement (ASPCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA), with similar terms and conditions as the ASPCA. 

Area school principals

Area school teachers in state and state-integrated schools and kura are covered by the terms and conditions of either the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement (ASTCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA) with similar terms and conditions as the ASTCA.

Area school teachers

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Early Childhood

Most early childhood teachers employed by Te Aho o te Kura Pounamu will be covered by the Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Early Childhood Teachers’ Collective Agreement or an individual employment agreement (IEA).

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Early Childhood teachers

Kindergartens

Most kindergarten teachers employed by one of the 33 kindergarten associations will be covered by the Kindergarten Teachers, Head Teachers and Senior Teachers' Collective Agreement (KTCA), or an individual employment agreement (IEA).

Kindergarten teachers

Principal eligibility criteria

Section 617 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) relates to the issuing of eligibility criteria relating to appointment of principals. No criteria have been issued.

Police vetting for schools and kura Māori

Police vetting is part of the safety checking process a school or kura Māori must do when employing or engaging staff. This is a requirement of both the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Children's Act 2014.

Police vetting for schools and kura Māori

Performance management

All staff are required to participate in a school’s performance management process. 

Performance management

Scholarships, awards and funding

Find out about the scholarships, awards, funding and sabbaticals available to principals and teachers.

Scholarships, awards and funding for people working in schools

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