Most New Zealand teachers set for six-figure pay after new deal struck with govt

New Zealand’s secondary school teachers will see their pay rise next year, after the Government and the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) finally agreed to a new pay deal.

For many families across the Pacific region, including those with ties across Aotearoa, Thursday's announcement brings some certainty to a school system that has faced months of disruption, stalled talks, and worries about losing good teachers overseas.

Chris Abercrombie, the PPTA’s president, says many teachers accepted the deal because they “wanted a settled start to the year next year,” given “significant change” ahead for the sector.

He says the settlement is “a foundation, not a finish line", adding that the union still sees more work to do on pay and conditions.

The teachers welcomed the withdrawal of earlier government claims, such as proposals to increase non‑term‑time working days, saying that made the deal more acceptable than previous offers they rejected.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says the settlement gives teachers “a fair increase in pay and deserved recognition for the work they do every day".

Teachers at an earlier strike this year. Photo/RNZ/file

The agreement includes:

• 4.7 per cent cumulative pay increase within 12 months for teachers at the top two salary steps (2.5 per cent in Year 1, 2.1 per cent at the start of Year 2).

• Teachers moving up the scale will continue to receive step increases plus a 4.6 per cent increase within 12 months.

• 80 per cent of trained secondary teachers will earn more than $100,000 by 28 January 2026.

• Middle- and senior-management allowances will rise from $2000 to $2400, and unit values will increase from $5000 to $5500.

• A new Principal’s Nominee Allowance of $2500 and one hour of release time begins in Term 2, 2026.

Nearly 25,000 teachers will benefit from the settlement.

Roche says the bargaining was “never going to be easy,” but he is pleased the parties found a way through after “a lot of hard work and discussion".

He also thanked Dr Andrew Dallas, Chief of the Employment Relations Authority, for helping to restart talks when they had stalled.

The PPTA membership voted on 4 December to accept the deal, bringing an end to a bargaining round that began with concerns over workload, staff shortages, and teachers leaving the profession.

Students in a Pacific-majority classroom listen as their teacher explains a lesson. Community leaders say stable staffing is essential for Pacific learners.

Schools in Aotearoa are home to thousands of Pacific students, many in areas where teacher shortages have been felt strongly.

Pacific parents, students, and community groups say stable teaching staff make a big difference to student success, especially in subjects like maths, science, and languages.

A secure pay rise may help keep experienced teachers in the system, something school leaders have pushed for.

Many Pacific families also rely on teachers to support cultural programmes, sports, and community events that strengthen identity and wellbeing. With this settlement now complete, Roche says teachers should start seeing the pay rise “from the start of the school year".

He says the outcome shows “what can be achieved through focused, good faith bargaining” and encouraged other education unions to “take a similar approach, in the best interests of their members".

Full details of the agreement are available from the Ministry of Education.