Work in New Zealand as a Teacher

A teacher is a trained professional who educates others. Teachers play a pivotal role by helping students learn in line with the government learning frameworks. New Zealand's curriculum falls into two branches, Early Childhood Curriculum, "Te Whāriki" & Primary, Intermediate and Senior curriculum "New Zealand Curriculum" .

Teaching is so much more than instructions: beyond academics, teachers also act as mentors.

A teachers tasks may include:

• selecting, preparing and presenting courses, teaching materials and lessons suited to the abilities of the students
• correcting and assessing students' work
• attending to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical wellbeing of students and maintaining acceptable standards of behaviour
• assessing the abilities and level of achievement of students through direct observation and administering tests
• discussing individual progress and problems with other professionals, parents and students
• performing extra-curricular tasks such as assisting with sport, school concerts, excursions and special interest programs
• supervising student teachers on placement
• maintaining attendance and scholastic records, and school discipline.

Are Teachers needed in New Zealand?

Yes, they're needed. School principals at primary (years 0 - 6), intermediate (years 7 – 8) and secondary schools (high school) (years 9 – 13) levels, and early childhood centre managers have historically had trouble recruiting teachers. Longer term, the prospects for this occupation are looking good, given the increased life expectancy of the general population and ageing workforce in New Zealand. The type of opportunities varies by region and by subject taught too.

Currently Early Childhood, Primary & Secondary School Teachers are on the Regional list of Skilled occupations across all regions in New Zealand.

Career Progression

Primary school teachers may move into managerial roles, such as Education managers Deputy principal or Principal, or they may move into work outside the school system, such as:

• teaching trainee teachers at universities
• doing research, policy or advisory work in the education sector
• working in training and education roles.
• work as Child Care Centre Manager or Faculty head

With further training, primary school teachers may progress to become special education teachers.

Your pay varies on the skills, experience and the type / complexity of work that you will do.

Pay for Early Childhood Teachers varies depending on the place employment, your qualifications and experience.

• Graduate early childhood teachers usually start on about $45,000 to $71,000 a year.
• Assistant head early childhood teachers usually earn $71,000 to $74,000.
• Head early childhood teachers who are responsible for staff can earn $74,000 to $80,000.
• Senior early childhood teachers who run centres or services can earn $74,000 to $98,000.

Pay for Primary School Teachers varies depending on qualifications and experience and is indexed by Novopay, a Government index.

• Graduate primary school teachers usually earn between $48,000 and $52,000 a year.
• Primary school teachers with two to six years' experience usually earn $52,000 to $75,000.
• Primary school teachers with more than six years' experience usually earn $71,000 to $80,000.

Pay for Secondary School Teachers varies depending on experience and qualifications and also relies on Novopay's scales.

• Graduate secondary school teachers usually earn between $52,000 and $57,000 a year.
• Secondary school teachers with two to five years' experience usually earn $58,000 to $71,000.
• Secondary school teachers with more than five years' experience usually earn $71,000 to $80,000.

Novopay

Do you have what it is required to be a Primary/ Secondary School Teacher in New Zealand?

Under ANZSCO, teachers require a bachelor degree or higher qualification.

Occupational Registration

Teachers need to be registered with the Education Council of New Zealand. This board promotes safety for all New Zealanders by ensuring the competence of all teachers. There is a detailed registration process for teachers with overseas qualifications. Some teaching experience is required, and teachers with a gap in their recent experience may need to do some time on the job again before they meet registration requirements.

Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand New Zealand

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