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April 11, 2023
Kindergarten kaiako Māori due for recognition
Adam Gifford
Posted On April 11, 2023
The union representing kindergarten teachers says the Education Ministry is finally listening to concerns about sick leave and about the importance of kaiako Māori.
The teachers have received a new offer on their collective agreement which they will vote on in early May.
Pay increases of between 11.1 percent and 13.9 percent are on the table, with the top pay bracket rising from $90,000 to $100,000 by December 2024.
NZEI Te Riu Roa negotiating team spokesperson Virginia Oakly says the new offer is a vast improvement, including raising sick leave from 10 to 15 days.
She says Covid decimated sick leave balances, and many teachers have run out of leave.
The offer also takes a first step in recognising the load kaiako Māori carry around te reo and tikanga.
Negotiating team member Reweti Elliott says the offer the ministry has tabled for cultural leadership is historic.
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