Secondary school principals have reached a new collective agreement that delivers pay rises of 2.5% this week and 2.1% next December, plus a $15,000 allowance for curriculum-change work and $5,000 for mentoring new principals.
Union leaders say the government has committed to maintaining parity between principal and teacher pay and, critically, has preserved personal grievance rights for those earning over $180,000 amid proposed employment law changes.
They argue the deal offers much-needed stability after a demanding year, though warn schools still face pressure as major curriculum and NCEA changes roll out with delays in key resources.
The agreement follows last week’s secondary teachers’ settlement, while primary teachers and some primary principals remain in negotiations.
Image credit: Kubra Arslaner
