08 August 2025

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said today the primary school teachers’ union (NZEI) was being disingenuous with the media and the public after rejecting a pay offer that was fair to teachers and fiscally responsible.

Sir Brian said the union was misleading the public about what its members will actually receive over the next three years – and ignores pay advances for primary teachers over the last three years.

The offer of a 3% increase for the next three years is on top of a further 3.9% to 7.7% in pay increases already built-in for each of the next three years. This comes after primary teachers received pay advances of up to 14.5% in the last three years.

In dollar terms, the current offer equates to pay increases between $3,169 and $7,939 in the first year of the proposed agreement, with regular annual progression included. Over three years, for those who are not at their top step, it means increases of between $7,275 and $15,250 depending on where teachers are on the base pay scale.

“This is a reasonable and responsible offer, especially in the context of significant increases in recent years and the current economic climate,” said Sir Brian

“The economic environment and the Government’s fiscal position are very difficult. Every additional dollar spent must be weighed against what is sustainable and fair to all New Zealanders.

“I urge the union to reconsider what I believe is a fair offer, on top of the pay advances primary teachers have received over the last three years.

“Bargaining requires genuine engagement and trade-offs from all parties. I urge the union to return to the bargaining table with a commitment to constructive dialogue and a realistic settlement that supports teachers, students, and our public school system.”