The New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) is New Zealand's largest education union. More than 49,000 New Zealanders - teachers and support staff working in primary, area and secondary schools and early childhood centres, Specialist Education Services and Colleges of Education - come together through NZEI to improve their working lives.
As a union and professional institute, we are committed to quality public education for all New Zealand children. We are proud to represent the people who have the most important job in the country - educating for the future.
NZEI Te Riu Roa is equally concerned about the quality of the education service members are able to provide as we are about the terms and conditions under which they work. Our main objectives are to:
* Advance the cause of education generally while upholding and maintaining the just claims of members individually and collectively;
* Respect and uphold the professional status and the individual rights of members;
* Give honour and effect to the Treaty of Waitangi with Maori and Tauiwi being equal parties in Institute operations;
* Promote and protect the professional, economic, social and educational interests of members;
* Act as the bargaining representative for any member or members, within the framework of current employment law.
Every year, NZEI's National Executive sets priorities for the year. You can read about current years priorities here.