Secondary teachers have voted to accept the Government’s collective agreement offer.
It brings negotiations between the Post Primary Teachers’ Association and the Government to an end – a process that involved strikes and a tense back and forward between the two parties.
Bargaining was facilitated by the Employment Relations Authority.
The settlement included a 4.7% cumulative pay increase for teachers on the top two steps by January 2027 (2.5% in Year 1 and 2.1% at the beginning of Year 2).
Teachers who are growing in their careers and moving up the scale would continue to receive annual step increases, along with a 4.6% pay increase by January 2027.
According to the Public Service Commissioner, the settlement means 80% of trained secondary teachers will have a base salary of more than $100,000 from January 28, 2026.
The settlement also included an increase in the value of middle management and senior management allowances from $2000 to $2400, while the value of units would increase from $5000 to $5500 – bringing the pay increase to 2.9% in year one.
The agreement also introduced a Principal’s Nominee Allowance of $2500 per year and an hour of release time from Term 2, 2026 for the nominee.
The union said it would also administer a $1 million yearly fund for professional learning and development.
A spokesperson for the union said, however, it was “disappointing” to see that the Public Service Commissioner had not addressed members’ claims for pastoral care staffing to help meet students’ “increasingly complex mental health and emotional needs”.
“Members are adamant that this issue must be addressed, and we are expecting there will be initiatives in the budget next year that will do this.”
The spokesperson said the union was “pleased” the Government had withdrawn claims it claimed would have “worsened our working conditions”.
“The settlement of the collective agreement doesn’t mean that advocacy by the PPTA is over. Teachers are facing significant demands because of the Government’s curriculum and NCEA change programme. The Government has also introduced a proposal to remove teacher voice and autonomy from the Teaching Council.
“We will continue to champion the professional voice of teachers in decision‑making because our expertise needs to be central to shaping the future of education in Aotearoa.”
Education Minister Erica Standofrd said she was “delighted” for secondary teachers.
“This agreement recognises the effort and hard work of secondary teachers who are committed to raising achievement for students across the country each and every day,” she said.
“Investing in our education system is investing in everyone’s future. We are firmly committed to backing teachers to succeed in the classroom and deliver the world-leading education Kiwi kids deserve.”
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said he was “pleased” both parties had found a way through negotiations.
“As I have said from the start, this round of collective bargaining was never going to be easy.”
“Having reached agreement, we can now action the pay increases from the start of the school year, which I’m sure will be welcome.
“This agreement shows what can be achieved through focused, good-faith bargaining. I encourage other education unions to take a similar approach, in the best interests of their members.”
