School Support Staff Collective Agreement Negotiation

Following 13 days of bargaining, and two days of mediation, a fifth offer to renew the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement was presented to NZEI Te Riu Roa on 20 November 2025. Following a member ballot, NZEI Te Riu Roa advised that the offer was rejected by members on 3 December 2025.

This offer ensured all staff would benefit from a pay increase of 4.35% within 12 months of ratification.

Key features of the offer

• A 2.3% increase on all printed rates from 5 December 2025.
• A 2% increase on all printed rates from 4 December 2026.
• $8 million in PLD for staff who work directly with students who experience behavioural or learning needs associated with neurodiversity.
• Increasing the motor vehicle allowance rate from 62c to 83c per kilometre.
• Targeted communications to schools regarding reviewing employment of teacher aides who have been on fixed term agreements for longer than two years.
• Increase from 3 to 5 days, the number of calendar days an employee must be sick for before a medical certificate can be requested by the employer.
• Recognition of service for employees transferred to charter schools under section 119 of the Education and Training Act (2020) if they return to a role under coverage of this collective agreement.
• Allow non-teaching Guidance Counsellors to be covered by this collective agreement.
• Annual progression, the offer also preserves the annual progression increases the majority of members receive annually.

Previous offers can be found in the resources section of this web page. 

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