Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said today a revised pay offer for primary school teachers was strong, fair and addresses cost-of-living pressures.
The offer being discussed with the NZEI, the union for primary school teachers, helps experienced teachers who are paid at the top of the scale. These teachers would receive the biggest pay rises. Teachers who are still moving up the pay scale would continue to get annual increases that are higher than the rate of inflation.
The revised offer for primary teachers, if accepted, would cost taxpayers an additional $449 million over four years. This represents an increase of 4.7% within 12 months.
“This is a very good offer,” said Sir Brian. “It’s better than reasonable – it’s a targeted, fiscally responsible package that delivers meaningful increases for teachers at all stages of their careers.
“We’ve stretched our fiscal mandate to its limits to make this happen – there is no room to move further on remuneration.
“The government wants to avoid prolonged industrial action that disrupts learning, and this is a substantially improved offer that demonstrates the importance we place on investing in a quality teaching workforce.”
Sir Brian was disappointed the NZEI had widely shared details of bargaining discussions before a formal offer had been made.
“I hope teachers take the opportunity to settle and get extra money into their pockets quickly – and avoid further disruption for students and parents.”
Similar offers are being discussed with secondary teachers.
Notes for editors and news directors
The commissioner’s letter to the NZEI outlining the revised offer is below.
Commissioner's letter to NZEI outlining revised offer to primary teachers
The revised offer sits alongside the Government’s broader investment in education. Budget 2025 included a $2.5 billion package to lift student achievement and attendance, improve learning support, strengthen teacher development, and reduce costs for teachers renewing their practising certificates.
The revised offer for primary teachers will cost taxpayers an additional $449 million over four years. This represents an increase of 4.7% within 12 months for teachers at the top of the pay scale.
A primary school teacher with eight years of experience can currently earn over $120,000, including allowances.
The average salary for primary school teachers increasing from $85,000 three years ago to $94,000 now.
The offer is on top of a further 3.9% to 7.7% in pay increases already built-in for teachers who are not yet at the top of their pay scale. 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 $3,803 and $9,408 in the first year of the proposed agreement, with regular annual progression included. Over two years, for those who are not at their top step, it means increases of between $7,757 and $16,926 depending on where teachers are on the base pay scale.
The average salary for primary school teachers increased from around $85,000 three years ago to over $94,000 now, with approximately 57% of full-time primary teachers now earning between $90,000 and $110,000, with 16% earning over $110,000.
