March 07, 2026

#education: Union warns gender bias returning to education sector

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 7, 2026

The education union NZEI Te Riu Roa is raising concerns that historic gender bias is resurfacing across the education sector, warning that progress made in recent years to close pay gaps for women workers is now under threat.

The union says the issue is closely linked to changes to pay equity legislation, which it believes have made it far harder for workers in female-dominated professions to pursue pay equity claims. Education roles such as teacher aides, school administrators, and support staff are overwhelmingly held by women and have historically been underpaid compared with roles of similar value in other sectors.

NZEI Te Riu Roa says those workers had begun to make gains through pay equity processes in recent years, but recent legislative changes have effectively halted reviews and settlements that were intended to address long-standing inequities in the system.

The union argues that without the ability to review pay equity settlements regularly, gender pay gaps can widen again over time. For many workers in schools and early childhood education, the changes mean there are now fewer mechanisms available to challenge systemic underpayment.

Education leaders say the issue is particularly significant in a sector where the majority of the workforce is female. Roles that support learning, including teacher aides and specialist support staff, are among those most affected by pay equity policies and funding decisions.

NZEI Te Riu Roa is backing calls for stronger protections to ensure education workers receive fair pay for work of equal value and to prevent gender bias from re-emerging in the sector. The union says addressing pay equity is also critical for retaining staff and tackling workforce shortages in schools and early childhood education.

The debate comes as education unions and advocacy groups continue to raise concerns about broader policy changes affecting the sector, including curriculum reforms and workforce pressures facing schools across Aotearoa.

NZEI Te Riu Roa says ensuring fairness in pay and working conditions is essential to maintaining a strong education system and supporting the wellbeing of both educators and the students they serve.