Are teachers needed in New Zealand? Yes, they’re needed. School principals at both primary (grade 1 to 4-7) and secondary schools (high school) levels, and early childhood center managers are reporting difficulties in recruiting teachers. The government’s skill shortage lists show that university lecturers are also needed.
The life-changing role of teachers is an indisputable fact. After all, we are all beneficiaries of the exemplary devotion of many teachers. Indeed, teachers are indispensable change-agents in all forward-thinking nations.
This is why it is always concerning when there is an actual shortage of teachers or when forecasts suggest that there would be shortages in the near future.
You do not need to be a soothsayer to surmise what the impact of huge and persistent shortages could portend for any nation. Interestingly, these shortages can also open up opportunities.
How? Read on…
After reading this article, you’ll understand why New Zealand is a highly popular teach-abroad destination for smart teachers.
We’ll look at some of the most vital factors you need to know about the prospects of becoming a teacher in New Zealand. In this article, we’ll explore:
- How Things Stand
- About New Zealand
- An Overview of its Education System
- What are the Qualifications needed?
- How much do teachers make in New Zealand?
- Key Roles of Teachers
Let’s get started.
How Things Stand
There are teachers graduating every year in New Zealand, but they’re insufficient to meet the demand. It is a challenge that’s been around for quite some time.
The Ministry of education forecasts that there would be a solution at the primary school level, but the challenge at the secondary (high school) level persists.
About New Zealand
New Zealand is an alluring, clean, and wealthy, small Pacific nation. Its population is 5 million, and English and Maori are the major languages spoken. Its inhabitants have one of the highest life expectancies in the world, 80 (for men) and 83 (for women).
It’s located 1000 miles southeast of Australia. Wellington is the nation’s capital. New Zealand is rated one of the most peaceful and least corrupt nations. It’s also rated the second safest country in the world.
An Overview of New Zealand’s Education System
The education system is focused on providing consistently high-quality instruction. It’s a system that reflects the unique and diverse nature of the country. Students from all backgrounds, religious beliefs, income levels, ethnic groups are welcomed.
It has 3 levels:
- Early Childhood Education (from birth to school entry age)
- Primary and Secondary Education (from 5 to 19 years)
- Further education (higher and vocational education)
Early childhood education is subsidized by the government and primary and secondary school education (in government-owned state-funded schools) is free for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
Schooling is compulsory from age 6 to 16. However, children can start school a year earlier (at 5).
There’s also Te Kura, the nation’s correspondence school. It uses online platforms and multimedia to teach special needs children, covering Early Childhood and primary school curriculum.
Primary and secondary education extends over 13 years. From age 5-12 (Year 1 to Year 8) and age 13 -17 (Year 9 – Year 13). The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the certificate awarded to students who complete secondary school education.
There are three types of schools: state, state-integrated schools, and private schools (which make up only 5% of the total number of schools).
State schools are owned and funded by the government. They educate the vast majority of students (85%).
They are free, but parents may be asked to contribute to funding activities that are not a part of the core curriculum.
State integrated schools are former private schools that are now state schools. They educate about 10% of the population.
Interesting, but how does its education system rank in the world?
Let’s look at a 2019 survey by The Economist’s Intelligence Unit. It showed the top 10 nations in the world, whose education systems are excellent.
| Rank | Economy | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland | 80.9 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 80.3 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 79.3 |
| 4 | Sweden | 78.1 |
| 5 | Canada | 77.9 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 76 |
| 7 = | Germany | 74.8 |
| 7 = | Singapore | 74.8 |
| 9 | France | 74.2 |
| 10 | UK | 74.1 |
What are the qualifications needed to teach in New Zealand?
To become a primary school teacher, you need to have either one of the following:
- Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
- Bachelor of Teaching (Primary or Māori Medium)
- Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
Alternatively, you can complete a four-year conjoint degree, such as a BA/BTeach or BSc/BTeach, which combines study in teaching subjects with teacher training.
This conjoint degree means you can teach both primary and secondary students.
Education requirements for graduates to teach in New Zealand:
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree that is not in education or teaching, you also need to complete one of the following:
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary)
- Master of Teaching (Primary)
- Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium.
- You also need to be registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and have a current practising certificate.
To become a secondary school teacher, you need to have one of the following:
- A specialist subject degree followed by a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) or a Master of Teaching (Secondary)
- A Bachelor of Education (Technology)
- A Bachelor of Teaching conjoint degree (a combination of teaching and specialist subjects).
Employers prefer you to train in at least two subject areas for your specialist subject degree so you can teach more than one subject.
You also need to be registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and have a current practising certificate.
How much do teachers make in New Zealand?
| Teaching Level | Salary NZ$ | Salary US$ | Salary UK£ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Primary Teachers | 48,000 – 52,000 | 34,500 -37,400 | 24,900 – 27,000 |
| Primary School teachers (2-6 years experience) | 52,000 – 75,000 | 37,400 – 54,000 | 27,000 – 38,900 |
| Primary School Teachers (6+ years experience) | 71,000 – 80,000 | 51,000 – 57,500 | 36,800 – 41,500 |
| New Secondary School Teachers | 52,000 – 57,000 | 37,400 – 41,000 | 27,000 – 29,500 |
| Secondary School Teachers (5+ years experience) | 71,000 – 80,000 | 51,000 – 57,500 | 36,800 – 41,500 |
For further details on Secondary School teacher salaries, go here: Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement
Key Roles of Primary School Teachers in New Zealand
Primary school teachers may do some or all of the following:
- Plan, prepare, and present lessons
- teach a wide range of subjects such as arts, English, math, and science
- keep up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods
- Assess and record the learning and development of each child
- Observe and manage student behavior
- Help to develop children’s social skills and behaviors
- Meet with parents, whānau, and caregivers at planning or teacher/parent evenings
- Lead a curriculum area, such as English or math, within the school
- Get involved in extracurricular activities such as camps, sports coaching, and school fairs
- Do lunchtime playground duty or road patrol duty.
Key Roles of Secondary School Teachers in New Zealand
Secondary school teachers may do some or all of the following:
- Plan, prepare, and present lessons
- Set and mark assignments and tests
- Assess students’ work for national qualifications
- Keep records and write reports on students
- Observe and manage student behavior in the classroom and other environments such as the gym and sports fields
- Attend departmental and staff meetings
- Meet with parents, whānau or caregivers, individually or at parents’ evenings
- Participate in or organize extracurricular activities such as sport, camp, or drama
- Keep up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods.
Conclusion
Our exploration revealed that teaching in New Zealand is highly rewarding. The education system is one of the best in the world, the pay is great and the nation has an ethos that places a premium on work-life balance.
So yes, there are opportunities for teachers in New Zealand and it looks pretty damn appealing if you ask me!
Are Teachers Needed in New Zealand? FAQ
Yes, they’re needed. School principals at both primary (grade 1 to 4-7) and secondary schools (high school) levels, and early childhood center managers are reporting difficulties in recruiting teachers.
Primary School Teachers make between NZ$ 48,000 – 80,000 (US$ 34,500 – 57,500. UK£ 24,900 – 41,500).
Secondary School Teachers make between NZ$ 52,000 – 80,000 (US$ 37,400 – 57,500. UK£ 27,000 – 41,500).
Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary or Māori Medium)
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
Alternatively, you can complete a four-year conjoint degree, such as a BA/BTeach or BSc/BTeach, which combines study in teaching subjects with teacher training.
A specialist subject degree followed by a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) or a Master of Teaching (Secondary).
A Bachelor of Education (Technology).
A Bachelor of Teaching conjoint degree (a combination of teaching and specialist subjects).
How is the process of applying for a job as a teacher in New Zealand
This was an interesting article. I am an Australian teacher of 25 year’s experience. I moved to NZ in January 2023 and am currently doing relief teaching. I dispute that NZ teachers are paid well. Most Australian teachers earn about 30% more for equivalent experience. I am also being paid on the lowest pay scale until I get my ‘salary assessed’ which includes getting my qualifications assessed at an expense of approximately $720 as I graduated prior to 1998. None of this makes NZ an inviting place to teach and no wonder so many kiwis are moving to Oz
What are kiwis?
“Kiwi” is a self-reference used by New Zealanders.
Teachers are needed here but schools are not open to hiring anyone that is overseas trained. Schools are becoming more and more explicit about this.
There’s a Facebook group called South African Teachers in New Zealand with over 9k members, the vast majority of which are trying to find employment in NZ primary and high schools (fat chance of that, speaking from experience) or they are in ECE which is the only way a lot of them can get into New Zealand. A lot of these are high-quality teachers that could add tremendously to the NZ education sector and could be brought up to speed with the NZ curriculum very quickly. So in effect, all the teachers are available but there is stubbornness on the part of schools and the ministry.
Unfortunately, the NZ curriculum is treated as some kind of holier than holy teaching method that is unique only to NZ. The only thing truely unique about it is that it is pushing for more and more “Maorification” of the curriculum.
On top of that, most of the children that you teach no longer have English as a first language anyway due to high rates of immigration from Asia. This also means that you cannot even find employment as a teacher-aide due to you “not representing the community you teach” card if you happen to be white.
So, at the end of the day, the children ultimately suffer do to political and ideological nonsense.
Lastly, the pay is low and the country is hellishly expensive.
So if you can, rather go to Australia. Don’t waste your time applying for hundreds of primary school positions, overseas teachers are not actually wanted here.
The only job you will get is in ECE which is it’s own kind of nightmare altogether and it is hard use as a stepping stone to primary school as you will still be considered “overseas trained”.