Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement negotiation

On 10 October 2025, following two weeks of discussions with the Post-Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) President and General Secretary, the Public Service Commissioner formally tabled the third offer to the PPTA for the renewal of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA).  The offer was rejected by the PPTA Executive on 11 October.

The offer included a cumulative pay increase of 4.7% at the top of the trained teacher salary scale within 12 months. The remainder of trained and untrained teachers would have seen a 4.6% increase within the same term. This is comprised of a base salary increase in year one of 2.5% and an additional 2.0% (2.1% at the top of the trained teacher salary scale) within 12 months.

The offer included an increase in the value of middle management allowances and a term of 30 months. The offer also amended the claim to increase the number of call-back days but shifted these to term-break and remove expenses.

Key elements

• A 30-month term starting from date of ratification.
• Salary increases
  • 2.5% at the top of the salary scale for trained teachers from 5 Nov 2025. Followed by 2.1% from 04 Nov 2026, providing a cumulative pay increase of 4.7% within 12 months.
  • 2.5% across the board pay increase for trained teachers (not at the top of the salary scale) and untrained teachers from 5 Nov 2025. Followed by 2.0% across the board increase for trained and untrained teachers from 04 Nov 2026, providing a cumulative pay increase of 4.6% within 12 months.
• An increase of middle management allowances to $2,400 from 28 January 2026.
• Introduction of an allowance for teachers who provide level one immersion teaching virtually or via face-to-face wānanga to another school, pro-rated up to the value of $6,000 per annum, commencing 28 January 2026.
• From the start of term two in 2026 through to the end of the 2027 school year, schools could appoint either a Principal’s Nominee or Curriculum Change Lead who would be entitled during this period to:
  • an allowance of $2,500 per annum, pro-rata for part-timers; and
  • 1 hour release time per week.
• Amended wording for teachers in Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) under Part 11 in respect to workload and callback days.
• Enabling part-time teachers to perform the role of Learning Support Coordinator.
• Enhanced wording that provided for greater recognition for untrained teachers who upon gaining their teacher qualifications have transferred to the trained teacher salary scale.
• Preserving greater service entitlements for employees who have transferred to converted (charter) schools and returned to the state sector.
• Expenses would not apply for callback days, while the claim for an increase in the number of callback days is withdrawn. The parties would meet to refresh the guidance for callback days for schools. This work would have been completed by 27 January 2026.
• Clarifying wording for study leave in respect to study awards, and sabbaticals leave.

Please note: 

The top of the trained teacher salary scale of 2.5% & 2.1% remains as per offer 2 and all other base scale rates were lifted to 2.5% and 2.0%.

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

For more information

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