“We welcome the settlement of the kindergarten teachers’ national collective agreement (KTCA) after six months in bargaining” said Amanda Coulston, Kindergartens Aotearoa (KA) spokesperson. “The settlement retains pay parity with primary teachers, and recognises head teacher and senior teachers’ leadership roles.”

“We need to make sure every qualified (degree or equivalent) teacher in the ECE sector is recognised professionally, just as their kindergarten colleagues have been in the settlement of the KTCA” Amanda Coulston said. “We support the negotiation of a national collective agreement for all ECE teachers, paid directly through a centralised pay system, ensuring pay parity and equity of conditions.”

The ECE pay parity scheme that applies to education and care services was introduced in 2022. Providers opt to pay their teachers pay parity rates – and the government gives them a higher rate of funding to do so. Once opted-in, pay parity rates initially applied to all permanent and relieving teachers as they move through ‘steps’ on the pay parity scale. The steps recognise teachers’ years of service, and their deepening knowledge and practice, and higher qualifications.

“The ECE pay parity scheme provided clarity for employers about what was required and certainty for teachers about what to expect” Amanda Coulston said. “However, the scheme is not part of a negotiated, contractual employment agreement and this means the rules can change without warning or negotiation which is exactly what happened in 2023.”

The government determined that the pay parity rates remain static at 2023 levels. The following year, the government said employers do not have to pay qualified relieving teachers pay parity rates, instead they can pay relievers whatever they choose. In 2025, the rules changed again, so the starting salary was no longer determined by qualifications and pay parity steps, and a moratorium was placed on teachers progressing up the steps.

“Over its term, the government has systematically undermined pay parity for qualified teachers in education and care services” said Amanda Coulston.

“While the administration of the pay parity scheme needed some attention, the principle underpinning the policy was unequivocal “ Amanda Coulston said. “A teacher is a teacher - regardless of where they are employed or whether they are in a permanent or relieving role.”

“All qualified teachers employed in ECE services should be recognised as valued members of the teaching profession and receive the same pay and conditions as their colleagues in the compulsory sector.”