School Principals Trade Union Support Officer
Kirikiriroa | Hamilton (base)
Permanent, 1.0 FTE
Grade J from $96,671
Purpose-driven work | Matching Kiwisaver up to 6.5%
Health Insurance reimbursement scheme | 26 days annual leave
Vehicle provided | Supportive internal network
About the role:
We are looking for a Principal Support Officer to join our Hamilton-based team. This role sees you engaging with principals on union Kaupapa and the issues that directly impact them. You will work to empower principals to join together to make a difference to their working lives. To be successful in this role you will need to have strong experience with schools and with unionism. You will report to a Lead Organiser and your role includes:
Travelling around the region visiting your assigned worksites and/ or member groups (usually three days a week with one/two days a week in the office)
Planning for regular contact and visibility for your assigned worksites and/ or member groups
Implementing campaign and sector strategies to achieve union goals in your region
Identifying, development and coaching of member leaders.
Skills and experience:
Strong relational skills to manage worksite, group and member leader relationships
Experience working in union or social-impact organisation
A current full driver’s licence
An interest in publicly-funded education, commitment to Te Tiriti, unionism and social justice
Demonstrated ability to work flexibly to achieve team work, as well as work independently across a large region.
Who are we?
NZEI Te Riu Roa is a Te Tiriti based organising and campaigning union of members who work together locally and nationally to achieve the best possible education system for tamariki and the people who work in it. Together we take a strategic approach to achieving members’ aims, including the protection and promotion of the industrial and professional interests of members.
NZEI Te Riu Roa is committed to honouring and giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Candidates should either have or be committed to developing an understanding of Te Tiriti. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience in Te Reo Māori and tikanga Māori. We have an allowance for fluent speakers of Te Reo Māori and offer work time to study Te Reo Māori.
How to apply
Cover letter - we want to hear why you want to work for NZEI Te Riu Roa in a cover letter that accompanies your CV.
We cannot review applications without a cover letter.
The job description is available here.
Applications must be made here
We will get in touch with you if you are shortlisted for this role.
If you have any questions, please contact mahi@nzei.org.nz
Applications close at 5pm Wednesday 11 February, 2026
NZEI Te Riu Roa welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and disabilities/ abilities. An expectation of this role is to actively support and promote our diversity and inclusion principles. We want NZEI Te Riu Roa to be a place where you can bring your whole self to work.
He ngakaunui ana a NZEI Te Riu Roa ki te whakahonore me te whakamanahia Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Me mōhio pai ngā kaitono, whakarite he maramatanga rānei o Te Tiriti o Waitangi. He pūtea mō ngā kaitono e matatau ki Te Reo Māori, a, ka tono atu mō tētahi wā mahi hei ako i te Reo Māori.
He whakaaturanga mahi kei tō mātou ipurangi.
Kei kōnei te wāhi pukapuka tono a, me tuhingia he reta hei whakamōhio ki a tātou ko wai koe, nō hea koe, he aha ai e hiahia ana koe ki te mahi mō NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Mehemea he pātai tāu whakapā mai ki mahi@nzei.org.nz
Ka kati ngā tono hei te Rāapa 11 Hui-tanguru 2026 a te 5 karaka I te ahiahi.
Ka tautoko a NZEI Te Riu Roa i ngā tangata o ngā mātawaka, ngā tangata o tēhea pakeke, o ngā takatāpui, nga hāhi, nga hauatanga/pukenga. Ko te tumanako o te mahi nei, kia kaha ki te tautoko me whakatuarā a tātou kanorau/iahuhua/matahuhua me ngā whanonga pono. Ko te hiahia a NZEI Te Riu Roa, he wāhi hei whakamana i a koe me tōu mahi.