Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement negotiation
Update on Collective Agreement negotiation for Area teachers
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Last updated 12 February 2026
On 16 December 2025 a Terms of Settlement was mutually agreed upon and signed by the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI) and the Post-Primary Teachers Association | Te Wehengarua (PPTA) for the renewal of the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement (ASTCA). Following a member ballot, on 11 February 2026 the PPTA advised that its members had accepted the Terms of Settlement, while the NZEI advised that its members had rejected the Terms of Settlement. As a consensus was not reached between the PPTA and the NZEI, the Terms of Settlement has been rejected.
Key items
The agreement reflects the secondary teachers' settlement and includes:
Two pay increases over the 25-month term: From October 2025:
For teachers on the top two steps of the scale receive a cumulative pay increase of 4.7% by 28 January 2027. This is comprised of a 2.5% from date of ratification and a further 2.1% increase on 28 Jan 2027
Teachers moving up the scale will continue to receive annual step increases along with a 4.5-4.6% pay increase by 28 January 2027. This is comprised of a 2.5% increase from date of ratification, and a further 2% increase on 28 Jan 2027
Increase to the value of management allowances and units: an increase to MMAs from $2000 to $2400 from 28 Jan 2026, and an increase to units from $5000 to $5500 from date of ratification
A new allowance for Principals Nominee: a $2500 allowance to principals’ nominees from 26 April 2026, with a new 0.04 FTTE (hour per week) release component
Service/Qualification Increment expanding the Salary Increment to include recognition of permanent teachers who have been assessed as Level 5 or higher on the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework
Service recognition for converted (charter) school employees and untrained employees who become trained
No additional callback days: Retain the status quo for the number of callback days. No ability to claim expenses if these are held during term time within school hours
Changes to Disregarded Sick Leave provisions
Mandatory Closedown provisions that support compliance with the Holidays Act
Clarification on the coverage of the collective agreement and a commitment to review coverage of composite schools.
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