Area school teachers, who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa, have voted to go on strike on October 23, growing the number of public service workers walking off the job that day.
Around 1,300 area school teacher members will increase the number of NZEI Te Riu Roa educators going on strike to more than 40,000, including primary school teachers, primary principals, school support staff, and Ministry of Education specialist staff.
All are urging the Government to address the many issues in education and say these haven’t been addressed in collective agreement offers.
NZEI Te Riu Roa members say they want secure work and pay that addresses increases in the costs of living. They also need more support for children in the classroom, to uphold Te Tiriti, and for te reo Māori.
Raewyn Himona, a deputy principal covered by the Area School Teachers' Collective Agreement, says she’s joining the strike to support kaiako Māori, who are overworked and undervalued.
“We carry te reo me ōna tikanga, care for our tamariki, and lead cultural practices — often without fair pay or support.
“I’m striking for our profession and a better future for our tamariki. He kaupapa mō te tika.”
Nurses, midwives and senior doctors are among the many public service workers on strike on 23 October.
Editor's note: Area school teachers who are members of the PPTA have also voted to strike on 23 October. PPTA members have also planned rolling strikes.