Kindergarten Teachers' Collective Agreement negotiation
Update on collective agreement negotiations for kindergarten teachers
On 29 June 2026 the Kindergarten Teachers’, Head Teachers’ and Senior Teachers’ Collective Agreement (KTCA 2026-2028) was settled with NZEI Te Riu Roa.
The settlement provides pay rate increases to kindergarten teachers of 2% or 2.1% dependent on step from 28 January 2027. The offer includes a change of term to 30 months (29 June 2026 to 28 December 2028).
For employees who are not NZEI Te Riu Roa members, a new Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) will be promulgated by the Secretary for Education following the signing of the collective agreement. The new IEA rates will be effective from the date the employee and employer sign the agreement. This cannot be before the date the IEA was promulgated. Kindergarten Associations will notify NZEI Te Riu Roa of the payment date for the increase to the new salary rates once the new funding rates and the timing of the funding payments are confirmed by the Ministry of Education.
Contact
For questions about the settlement or the new collective agreement, contact the Ministry's ER team.
For more information
Enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Education Media Centre.