Female kaupapa Māori kaiako in classroom
Female kaupapa Māori kaiako in classroom
Principals and schools

Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement Negotiation

Update on collective agreement negotiation for primary teachers
Female kaupapa Māori kaiako in classroom
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Last updated 18 March 2026

At the conclusion of three days of mediation, a fourth offer for the renewal of the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA) was made to NZEI Te Riu Roa on 27 February 2026. NZEI advised that its bargaining team and Executive decided not to put the offer to members for a ratification vote.

Key elements of the offer include:

  • Term of agreement from 20 March 2026 to 19 April 2028 (25 months).
  • Pay increase of 4.5% - 4.7% for the term of the collective agreement:
    • Teachers on the top two steps of the scale receive a cumulative pay increase of 4.7% by January 2027. This is comprised of a 2.5% increase on 20 March 2026 and a further 2.1% increase from the start of the 2027 school year.
    • 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 on 20 March 2026, and a further 2% increase from the start of the 2027 school year.
  • $750 Increase to Units: a phased 16.67% increase to unit values by 28 January 2027.
  • 25 additional Cultural Leadership Allowances (CLA)
  • Relief Teacher $3 million PLD fund to support short term relievers with delivering structured literacy and numeracy.
  • School Camp Allowance increased by 20% to $30 from 20 July 2026.
  • Associate Teachers employers pay associate teachers a rate of no less than $51. 60 per trainee week.
  • Chatham and Pitt Island provisions aligned to those agreed for Primary Principals including increases to the isolation and freight allowances.
  • Service recognition for converted (charter) school employees and untrained teachers who become trained.
  • Changes to Disregarded Sick Leave provisions.

As part of the offer, the Commissioner chose not to pursue previous employer claims including:

  • Additional call back days.
  • Mandatory Closedown.
  • Additional requirements on sabbaticals and study awards.

A letter of offer and terms of settlement set out all the elements of the offer.

The current base pay scale for primary teachers covered by 2022 to 2025 collective agreement ranges from $61,329 to $103,086. 

Teachers may also receive allowances, management units and other payments. There is no standard pay for teachers. What teachers are paid is dependent on where they are on the base pay scale and a mix of units, allowances and other payments.

The average salary for all primary teachers in 2024 was $94,354.

The average starting salary for primary teachers in 2024 was $71,400.

Teachers who are not at the top of the base pay scale are also entitled to annual service-based pay progression of between $2,503 and $6,960. In percentage terms, pay progression ranges from 3.9% and 7.7%.

The proposed Terms of Settlement, including other elements of the offer can be found here.
Latest Terms of Settlement launch
For more information on the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement
Visit education.govt.nz launch

For more information

Enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Education Media Centre.
Media Centre | Education

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