27 May 2025
Why Budget 2025 is anything but a vision
It’s often said that a nation’s budget reflects its values. If that’s true, then Budget 2025 tells us undeniably that children, especially our youngest tamariki, are not a priority.
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16 May 2025
Can’t stop the fight: Linda Jordan on 25 years as a teacher aide
After 25 years as a teacher aide, Linda Jordan has just reluctantly retired from her much-loved job. She’s a dedicated member of NZEI Te Riu Roa and travelled the country interviewing teacher aides to build a picture of the role for the pivotal pay equity claim. Anna Bracewell-Worrall finds out what she misses and how she feels about the Government’s abrupt changes to the equal pay act.
9 May 2025
Teacher aides are ‘the glue that keeps a classroom humming’
Often supporting students one on one in the classroom, teacher aides are vital to ensuring tamariki get the extra support they need at school, but their funding is precarious at best. Ngāmotu-based writer Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu) visited Avon School in Taranaki to hear from staff, parents and akōnga about the amazing mahi of teacher aides.
Summer 202322 Feb 2023
Learning for life
Professional learning and development (PLD) is a critical part of practice for all educators. But how do they ensure their ongoing learning has the best impact for ākonga? These personal stories showcase some outstanding PLD experiences that benefit students, educators and whole communities.
17 Oct 2022
Ensuring access to te ao Māori
In 2022, 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed into law, Kaiārahi i te reo won a pay equity settlement, with an average pay increase of 79 percent. Āwhina Kihi tells us what being a kaiārahi means and why the pay increase is such a big deal.
Covid-19 20206 Aug 2020
The journey to pay equity for teacher aides
Ako speaks with Annie Te Moana and Ally Kemplen, members of the teacher aide pay equity negotiation team about the journey to mana taurite