NZEI Te Riu Roa members have voted on the settlement offer for Kindergarten Teachers, Head Teachers and Senior Teachers’ Collective Agreement.
Our offer summary – around 3,500 kindergarten teachers, including head teachers and senior teachers
- The offer increases the maximum base salary for kindergarten teachers, with a teaching degree, to $85,490 per year from July 2021.
- The offer increases the maximum base salary for kindergarten teachers, with both a teaching qualification and subject degree, to $90,000 per year from July 2021.
- It means that most kindergarten teachers would as a result of annual progression and these pay increases receive a pay rise of around 18.5% by 2021.
- The offer to kindergarten teachers maintains pay parity through the matching of their pay scales with primary teachers. This means kindergarten teachers with the same qualifications and experience as primary teachers will get the same pay rate and annual pay progression through a unified base salary scale.
- A trained Kindergarten teacher with a teaching degree currently begins on a base salary of $47,980, and can currently earn up to a maximum base salary of $71,891. Under the offer this will change to $48,410 when they start, and then they will be able to earn up to a maximum base salary of $85,490 by 2021.
- A trained Kindergarten teacher with a subject specialist degree currently begins on a base salary of $49,588, and can currently earn up to a maximum base salary of $75,949. Under the offer this will change to $52,736 when they start, and then they will be able to earn up to a maximum base salary of $90,000 by 2021.
- Head teachers and senior teachers will receive $92,175 - $107,770 from July 2021 depending on their position.
- NZEI members will receive a one-off lump sum of $1,500 (pro-rated for teachers working part time).
- The parties have agreed to introduce a new clause that recognises the importance of upholding the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Kindergarten teachers are employed by Kindergarten Associations, who represent more than 600 kindergartens across New Zealand. All kindergarten teachers are trained and qualified.