How much do New Zealand's teachers actually earn, anyway?
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Explainer
- There's been a lot of talk about how much teachers earn, including some inaccurate comments by Public Service Minister Judith Collins
that she has since clarified
.
Primary and secondary school teachers are currently at odds with the government over their pay.
Secondary school teachers are set to strike Wednesday
following what they say is an unsatisfactory pay offer from the government.
The Post Primary Teachers' Association or PPTA announced the action last week.
Primary school teachers have also
voted to reject the 1 percent pay rise
.
But how much do teachers earn? Here's the facts.
Teachers are paid a base salary with their starting point on the scale ranging from 1 to 10 depending on their qualifications and experience.
They typically can progress a step per year of employment if they meet service and performance requirements.
Their pay also can include a combination of various management units, allowances and other payments.
At Step 1, a teacher would currently earn a base salary of $61,239 a year, on up to $75,340 at Step 5, $90,960 at Step 8 and then $103,086 at Step 10.
Teacher salary steps and proposed increases in the government's latest offer.
Photo:
Supplied / Ministry of Education
According to the Ministry of Education, the average salary for all secondary teachers in 2024 was $100,933 and their average starting salary was $78,300.
Secondary and primary school teachers are on a unified base salary scale to ensure pay parity.
There are a variety of extra allotments teachers can be given for taking on other leadership or work responsibilities. They include management units, middle management allowances and senior management allowances.
Senior management allowances would be for teachers who are an assistant or deputy principal and do principal duties at times. The specific values of each unit are set in individual and collective employment agreements.
The
current pay offer by the government
would increase rates by 1 percent a year for the next three years, which would bring Step 1 to $63,187 by 21 July 2027, or a $1858 pay rise, and Step 10 to $106,210 by 2027, a $3124 increase.
The offer is well below the
14.5 percent over three years
won through arbitration in 2023 and the
average 10 percent over three years
the union's members accepted in 2019.
Both of those settlements also included lump sum payments.
The Public Service Minister said last week
during a media stand-up
(approximately 5min 30sec in) that "I think on average, someone with 10 years' experience is on about $140,000, plus of course all the time that they have on leave as well as professional development".
On
Newstalk ZB
, Collins also said, "If you've got 10 years' experience, with the normal allowances that most would be getting, that's $147,000 a year and you add in that the fact that there is three months paid leave, now who else gets that?"
Those contents drew a lot of ire online, with one teacher calling it "disinformation" in an email to RNZ.
However, Collins has since issued a clarification on the statements.
"I just mixed up my messages a bit, and so I've apologised for that," Collins told RNZ, but added "high school teachers are paid well".
Her office said that her "written statement was correct and she apologises for mixing the message verbally".
A
Beehive statement
issued last week said: "A secondary school teacher with 10 years of experience can currently earn up to $147,000, including allowances".
Collins' office added that teachers' "pay has increased 14.5 percent over the past three years and the offer on the table represents a 3 percent increase over three years, on top of annual pay progression of 4-7.5 percent".
PPTA Te Wehengarua president Chris Abercrombie said only 20 to 30 deputy principal teaching staff throughout the country would earn $147,000 a year.
"The $147k claim is extremely misleading. The only teachers earning that kind of salary are deputy principals in very large secondary schools.
"There are a very small number of these deputy principals around the country, so it's a tiny proportion of the 25,000-strong secondary teaching workforce.
"We have requested this kind of salary information from the Ministry of Education but they still haven't provided it."
Abercrombie said that a teacher would have to be on eight management units and two senior management allowances to reach that level.
Education Minister Erica Stanford and Collins called teacher strike action "highly disruptive".
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Education Minister Erica Stanford and Collins last week called the secondary school teachers' strike "highly disruptive", accusing teachers of not engaging in talks fully.
Collins's office called for the PPTA to return to bargaining.
"The union has chosen disruption over dialogue; strikes disrupt student learning, especially those preparing for important assessments and exams.
"They also put undue pressure on families, with parents and caregivers forced to make alternative arrangements when their schools are no longer operating as normal."
Abercrombie said the government is not framing salary debates in a constructive manner.
"The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, in particular, speak often about the desire to have a world-class public education system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
"Most New Zealanders would imagine that at the heart of a world-class system would be well-paid and highly valued subject specialist teachers.
"A world-class system would surely involve growing a healthy supply of locally trained subject specialist teachers via attractive pay and conditions.
"Yet, the government is offering teachers a 1 percent salary increase - well below current inflation rates."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
38 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Public health group report calls for wealth tax
Despite being focused on New Zealanders' health, the report's main focus is on the link between health and the wider environment. Photo: 123RF A new report by a public health group led by a former Green MP is calling for a wealth tax and a cross-party focus on wellbeing, saying it's needed to support the health system. The Public Health Advisory Committee - established by the Ministry of Health - is led by former Green Party list MP Kevin Hague and released the report on Friday morning aimed at reviewing progress in New Zealand health since 2000 and looking ahead to improvements needed out to 2040. The report warns of "significant new challenges to our wellbeing, at a time when our health system is already over-stretched". It points to a diverse, growing, and ageing population, an uncertain political situation, increasing effects of climate change and the impact of AI on employment and society. Despite being focused on New Zealanders' health, its main focus is on the link between health and the wider environment. "Health starts in our homes, schools and communities," it says, "this report focuses primarily on factors outside health care, as these contribute significantly more than health care to our health and wellbeing." Wellbeing goals supported by multiple political parties are needed, it says, and urges the government to work with communities to achieve their own solutions. Strengthening "our bedrock" would require a national conversation about Te Tiriti o Waitangi; embedding human rights into laws and public policy; and developing a more "equitable and redistributive" economic system, it says. "Further use of income and wealth tax levers is needed to reduce income and wealth inequities, and to support adequate investment in social and health services." It also demands investment in "win-win solutions that nourish the soil" like finding solutions for the climate crisis and other social problems outside the health system. It warns of inequities in life expectancy, saying although the gap between Māori and Pākehā has narrowed over 25 years regional differences have worsened. "A Pākehā baby boy born in Waikato today can expect to live eight years longer than his Māori neighbour. Pākehā children can expect to live to 84 years in the northern region, seven years longer than Pacific peoples' children. This gap has increased since 2000." Cost of living pressures also make an appearance, with the report highlighting that financial stress was the greatest immediate concern for young people the authors spoke to. Rising rates of complex long-term conditions like diabetes is coupled with lower physical activity and worsening mental health - particularly among young people - while the ageing population is expected to add further pressure. Other topics covered include child poverty, education, unemployment, income inequality, racism, ableism, climate change and housing quality. "Despite absolute gains across many determinants such as income and education, and reductions in some absolute inequalities, there have been limited or no change in the relative differences (privilege or disadvantage) between ethnic and socioeconomic groups for many socioeconomic indicators." It says large reductions in smoking rates have contributed significantly to reduction in cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, lung cancer and other conditions over the past 30 years, but inequities remain in other health indicators like infant and child mortality in Pacific populations, and "no real change in inequities for Māori and Indian people, compared with all other ethnic groups". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
38 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Australia trials CCTV in childcare centres expected as ministers meet
By Stephanie Borys , ABC Photo: 123RF A national trial of CCTV cameras in hundreds of childcare centres is expected to get the green light at a meeting with federal, state and territory education ministers in Sydney today. Under the proposal being discussed, up to 300 services would be asked to take part in the trial. A number of states recently launched reviews into safety at childcare centres following multiple allegations of child abuse by a worker in Victoria, and a number of other significant incidents in other states. The New South Wales report recommended the installation of cameras in all new childcare centres, while Victoria's review recommended a trial to evaluate the use of cameras as a "regulative and investigative tool". NSW has committed to its own trial, while Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she would prefer a national trial. She acknowledged privacy concerns but said CCTV must be considered as one way to better protect children. "I will acknowledge there are different views on this point... which is why moving to a trial in the first instance is most appropriate," Allan said yesterday. While some states are already on board, others are yet to be convinced. Some have raised questions about where the footage would be stored and who would have access to it. Centres can already install CCTV cameras and recently Australia's biggest private childcare operator G8 Education announced it would roll out cameras to all of its centres. Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page said she would support a trial but didn't want CCTV to create complacency or support poor practice. "Because there's a CCTV camera in a room, that does not mean it's okay to leave an educator alone with a child or group of children," she said. Samantha Page said she did not want CCTV installation to lead to complacency. Photo: ABC National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds said CCTV may have a role to play but raised concerns about an over-reliance on technology. "These other elements [to protect children] include the recruitment of the right people... the mandatory safety childcare training. The human elements are far more important than CCTV," she said. The trial is just one of a number of measures to be discussed at today's meeting, along with mandatory child safety training for all childcare staff and tougher penalties to try and deter breaches and non-compliance. The federal government will provide AUD$189 million over the next four years to strengthen safety in the childcare sector. It includes funding to establish a new national register for childcare workers. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare flagged the idea last year, and during multiple media interviews after Joshua Dale Brown was arrested in Victoria. "There's a register for teachers; there's not a register for educators in centres. That's one of the other potential tools here to help keep children safe," he said last month. Details about how it would operate, what information would be included and when it could commence will be discussed at today's meeting. Jason Clare previously flagged a national register for childcare workers was needed. Photo: ABC/Adam Kennedy Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh has previously suggested it would track workers from centre to centre and across state borders. "That register needs to be integrated with working with children checks... and it needs to be integrated with other information that we have about substantiated complaints and conduct against individuals," she said last month. Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said a national register was long overdue. "A national register is critical to ensure the safety of children, support all early childhood services to ensure they do the right checks, and have the right information, every time they engage an educator, no matter where they are in the country," he said. NSW acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos insisted the register must be a priority at today's meeting. "[It] will be most effective if it is implemented nationally," she said. The move comes after attorneys-general agreed to strengthen working with children checks so that if a worker is banned in one state, they are banned in all. Education Minister Jason Clare is set to talk to his state and territory counterparts about the mandatory mobile phone ban, which he said is set to be in place from September. The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority has encouraged providers to adopt all practices in the National Model Code, which states staff should not have their phones on them while providing care to children, unless for emergencies or essential family needs. It's not clear at this stage how the ban will be enforced across different jurisdictions. Only two states have outlined their plans to issue hefty fines. South Australia has warned centres could be fined up to $50,000 or face suspension if they do not comply, with the SA education minister to explain the state's policy to his counterparts today. Victorian centres face a fine of up to $57,400 for long day care, kindergarten and outside school hours care services. Western Australia said it will introduce a ban but has not given a date, while NSW Premier Chris Minns indicated the finer details in his state had not been finalised. "We are looking at it. I accept the premise that there has to be zero tolerance when it comes to the safety and care of young people," he said. The federal government recently passed legislation that gives the Education Department the power to cut funding if a centre fails to meet national safety standards. The checks are carried out by state regulators, but a Four Corners investigation found many centres have not been checked for a number of years. Some states will push for more federal funding to help cover the cost of the checks. South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said his state was investing more in child safety. "This will deliver increased compliance checks and ensure ratings of ECEC services are updated every three years," he said. Western Australia's Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton said the state government would spend an additional $1 million to boost the regulator's capacity but the federal government should also pitch in. "I will also be placing strong focus on advocating for building the capacity of the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and state-based regulators," she said. Samantha Page agreed the federal government should play a greater financial role in ensuring state and territory regulators are fully resourced. "They [the regulators] need to able to undertake rating and assessment more frequently," she said. "I think the Commonwealth government tends to rely on the state and territory governments to find those resources and to operate those regulatory authorities without understanding the growth." 1600 additional unannounced spot checks will be carried out by Commonwealth officers, but their main focus is on potential fraud. - ABC
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Winston Peters talks defence, trade with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2025. Photo: AFP / Saul Loeb Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has spoken to his American counterpart Marco Rubio about defence and trade on Friday morning. The Minister was delighted to speak to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this morning. The discussed: -US-NZ bilateral relations, including on defence, trade and development. -Recent events in the Pacific, including last week's PIF meetings in Suva; -The conflict in Gaza… Peters said he was "delighted" to speak to Rubio on the call about US-NZ bilateral relations including defence, trade and development. The pair also discussed last week's Pacific Islands Forum in Suva and recent developments in the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. A readout from the US State Department said Rubio expressed his appreciation for New Zealand's "recent courageous operation" to evacuate US personnel from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. "The Secretary and Foreign Minister also reaffirmed the strength of the US-New Zealand bilateral relationship," it said. Winston Peters at the defence spending announcement on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The meeting follows yesterday's announcement of the first tranche of the coalition's $12 billion spend on defence over the next four years. The first investment of $2.7b will buy five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace the existing maritime fleet, and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft to replace the 757s. The helicopters make up the bulk of the expense, costing more than $2b, while the planes account for a $620 million capital cost and four-year operating cost of $80.86m under a six-year lease-to-buy agreement. They will be procured directly through the United States' Foreign Military Sales programme instead of going to a wider tender, with Cabinet to consider the final business case next year. The coalition has stepped up New Zealand's defence spend after pressure from the second Trump administration for countries to step up their investment. Speaking at yesterday's defence announcement, Peters said the intersection between New Zealand's defence and foreign policy was more important than ever before. "We face the most challenging strategic circumstances in New Zealand's modern history, and certainly the worst that anyone today working in politics or foreign affairs can remember. "Interests that New Zealand has long sought to advance are under serious pressure. Assumptions that have underpinned our policy settings for generations are being upended. While not without opportunity, this is a less predictable world for small states such as ours to navigate." Australia has also stepped up its defence spend this year, unveiling a mega $50 billion defence spending increase over the next decade.
