Join for tamariki. Join for quality public education. Join for your colleagues. Join for fairer pay. Join for better work conditions. Join for te Tiriti. Join for strength. Join for pay equity. Join for whānau. Join for kotahitanga.
Join for good.
NZEI Te Riu Roa members are unstoppable when they stand together. Our members have been a voice for change every step of the way from saying no to bulk funding, to gender equality, to honouring our history through the revised Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum.
Stuff happens. Workplaces can be difficult to navigate. Your union is here to support you with whatever you face in your professional life. From advice and guidance to advocacy support – NZEI Te Riu Roa’s staff are experts in industrial relations and go into bat for our members every day across the motu.
Much of the work our members undertake is for the benefit of the whole sector – and that work would not be possible without those who give their time, money and effort to support the union’s efforts. By coming together, NZEI Te Riu Roa members have negotiated better pay and conditions for themselves and their colleagues around the motu.
"Being in the union has given me the chance to connect with staff from other schools, across a broad spectrum, and get a sense that we’re really all in this together – a sense of community. We face the same problems, and we’re on the same page, but we can’t do much on our own. Together, though? We’re strong.”
– Maree, primary teacher and deputy principal, 2024
“I’ve been a member for 15 years. The job’s getting harder and harder. I look at my younger team members who’ve been in the job one or two years and I think, holy heck, how are they hanging in there and keeping on top of this workload? And what can we do to help them? As a union we can work on addressing system problems like that together.”
– Kapa, primary school teacher, 2024
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your support on the phone today – you were an absolute legend… super professional and empathetic. After talking to you I felt really prepared for my meeting.”
- NZEI Te Riu Roa member, 2024
“I can’t thank you enough for your wise words and taking the time to email me back with an excellent response to send to my boss. I felt an immediately weight lift off me once it was sent, and like you said, I felt I took my power back.”
- NZEI Te Riu Roa member, 2024
“Sometimes it feels like it is us teachers against the world. I’ve really appreciated having you at the end of the line to talk things through. Thank you for all your work.”
- NZEI Te Riu Roa member, 2023
"After joining the union, I realised that instead of just moaning, there are things I can do – there are constructive ways to provide feedback and have an active role in changing government policies.”
– Primary teacher, 2024
“The union is full of rangatiratanga – not just at the top. There are opportunities for leadership all throughout the union. And you know you always have a big group of people standing behind you.”
– NZEI Te Riu Roa member, 2024
“NZEI Te Riu Roa is a place to make friends and connections with like-minded people. You feel validated through those connections.”
- NZEI Te Riu Roa member, 2024
NZEI Te Riu Roa is the largest education union in Aotearoa – where teachers, principals and support staff stand together – with whānau – to demand a quality public education system where all tamariki can thrive and succeed. We have networks and systems in place to make sure your voice is heard, and truly counts.
We offer many member benefits like discounted health, pet and home insurance, rental cars, hotels, petrol, magazines, gym membership through HealthCare Plus and Member Advantage ... as well as strong collective bargaining, and so much more!
whakataukī (Ki te kotahi ...)
Your subscription rate is linked to the amount to you earn. All you need is your gross (before-tax and deductions) fortnightly income.
If you are a support staff kaimahi and your pay is not annualised, click here to use our calculator to work out your subscription rates.
Rates listed are valid until 30 November 2022.
No! While union membership is optional, your employer cannot do anything to influence your decision to join in any way.
They are also obliged to let you participate in union activities, such as paid union meetings and discussing union business at your workplace.
The only requirement is that you pay your fees to maintain your membership.
From time to time staff may reach out for support on various campaigns and activity to better conditions in the education sector. Your participation is encouraged and appreciated, but it is never compulsory!
Your fees are based on your rate of pay and your regular hours of work. This is then spread across the year into regular payments depending on your preference.
If you work irregular hours, we take an annual average of hours worked and base your subscription rates on this figure.
Use the calculator above to see what your subscription rates would be.
Every cent of your subscription fee goes towards the work of the union. It covers staffing and campaign expenses for the various areas of work members are undertaking across the motu to create a fairer, better education sector.
Yes! You can actually become of Te Kupenga Rangatahi (our New Educators Network) for free! You can find more information here.