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 and school staff must comply with the requirements set out in employment agreements.
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Area schools
- Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Early Childhood
- Kindergartens
- Principal eligibility criteria
- Police vetting for schools and kura Māori
- Performance management
- Scholarships, awards and funding for people working in schools
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 the Individual Employment Agreement (IEA).
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 the Individual Employment Agreement (IEA).
Principal eligibility criteria
Following feedback during the Tomorrow School’s review, we facilitated the development of the eligibility criteria for principals (English medium) with the education sector.
The principal eligibility criteria makes the pathway to becoming a principal clearer and aids boards appointing principals.
A supporting resource is now being developed to support boards and aspiring principals understand what is required of them once the criteria come into effect in early 2024.
You can review the criteria below.
Principal eligibility criteria [PDF, 165 KB]
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.
Performance management
All staff are required to participate in a school’s performance management process.
Scholarships, awards and funding for people working in schools
Find out about the scholarships, awards, funding and sabbaticals available to principals and teachers.
Last reviewed: Has this been useful? Give us your feedback