A teacher and their students sitting down outside a classroom chatting and laughing
A teacher and their students sitting down outside a classroom chatting and laughing
Principals and schools

Beginning and returning teacher matching programme

Learn about the BeTTER Jobs Programme which matches and funds beginning and returning teachers into eligible schools and kura
A teacher and their students sitting down outside a classroom chatting and laughing
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Last updated 16 April 2025

About the programme

The BeTTER jobs programme is open to beginning teachers (BeT) and returning teachers who have recently completed a Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme. 

The programme works like a matching service. Eligible teachers complete an expression of interest to receive weekly notifications about vacancies at relevant and eligible schools or kura.

Should an eligible teacher successfully apply for a vacancy at an eligible school | kura, a payment is made to both the school | kura and the teacher for up to 2 years.

There are 130 funded matches for beginning and returning teachers looking for their first teaching position since completing their qualification in 2024. 

We have completed the matching process and all placements for the 2025 Cohort have been filled.
If you have a teacher that has secured employment, they can still submit their Employment Confirmation. They will be added to the waitlist. We will offer places to waitlisted individuals in the order they signed up.

School eligibility and actions

While each programme cohort runs for 2 years, the eligible school | kura list is reviewed annually. Eligibility for the programme is developed in collaboration with Te Mahau offices based on local knowledge and a mix of other qualitative and quantitative indicators. 

2025 BeTTER Jobs programme eligible schools and kura list

Eligible schools | kura do not need to do anything – other than ensure they advertise their vacancies. We will match teacher preferences to advertised vacancies based on their preferences via a weekly email. It is up to the teacher to make an application. 

School payments and employment confirmation

If an eligible school | kura employs a teacher who is part of the BETTER jobs programme and that employment is confirmed, the school or kura will receive funding of $5,000 (excl. GST) per year for up to 2 years, which can be used to support mentoring and induction of the teacher. 

Eligible teachers must be employed into a position that is at least 0.8 Full Time Teacher Equivalent (FTTE) and for 12 months or more. If the teacher returns for another 12 months or has a permanent position, the school | kura and teacher receive the payment for a second and final year.  

More information

Detailed guidance about the BeTTER jobs programme for eligible schools | kura and their boards is available here.

2025 BeTTER Jobs Programme guidance for schools | kura

Contact us

If you have any questions, we’re here to help.

Email: vacancy.hub@education.govt.nz

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