Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement 2026-2028
The Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreementopen_in_new (ASTCA) covering teachers employed in the schools listed in Annex 1 of the ASTCA was ratified in April 2026 for a term of 24 months from 25 March 2026 to 24 May 2028.
Who is covered by the 2026-2028 ASTCA?
The 2026-2028 ASTCA amended the coverage clauseopen_in_new of the ASTCA to state that a school that meets the definition of a composite school under the Education and Training Act 2020 is covered by the ASTCA. Additionally, any existing school listed in Annex 1 of the ASTCA is also covered by the ASTCA.
A working group comprising ourselves, the Ministry of Education, NZEI Te Riu Roa and PPTA Te Wehengarua will meet this year to review the existing coverage clause, determine whether it remains fit for purpose, and reduce the number of situations where dual collective agreement coverage may apply.
We will keep you informed of any changes to the ASTCA coverage clause as a result of this working group.
What changes should you be aware of?
Along with base remuneration increases, the new ASTCA includes these key changes:
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Introduction of a new “Principal’s Nominee” allowance, providing one hour’s time release and an annual allowance of $2,500 from 14 July 2026 for one teacher per school (or in some cases two, see clause 3.38.3) who has responsibility for the NZQA-accredited Consent to Assess process.
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The removal of the ability to claim expenses under clause 4.7.4 if a teacher is required to attend school on a weekday during the term, even though the school is closed for instruction, provided the Minister of Education has prescribed that attendance and it is between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (see clause 4.7.5).
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Recognition of the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework in the Service/Qualification Increment, allowing eligible employees with a Level 5 or higher qualification on that framework, who are not receiving the Māori Immersion Teacher Allowance, to access the increment (see clause 3.18.10).
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Clarification that:
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The Māori and Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowances apply to untrained teachers who are concurrently undertaking a recognised Initial Teacher Education Training programme, and
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Learning Support Coordinators can be employed part-time and in job-share arrangements.
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Clarification that employees are to take annual leave when the school closes down at the end of the school year (see clause 5.13), like the current practice in secondary schools.
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Provision of 40 days release per annum in 2027 and 2028 for U1 to U3 area schools to support teachers with curriculum change.
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That area school teachers who are union members can access the applicable Professional Learning and Development Fund run by their respective union as established under the Primary or Secondary Teachers’ collective agreements.
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Increases to Middle and Senior Management allowances of $400 and to Units of $500.
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Changes to improve how the Salary Assessment Unit recognises prior work experience of untrained/LAT holding teachers who become qualified and transition to the trained teacher salary scale (clause 3.1.6).
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Tightening of the criteria for disregarded sick leave, including removing eligibility for disregarded sick leave when the raising of a complaint/personal grievance against the employer has substantially caused a stress-related or non-physical illness, where the employee being subject to a disciplinary or competency process has substantially caused the sickness or as part of settlement of an employment relationship problem or a negotiated exit from employment (see cl 5.2.8(e)).
What actions are required of you?
Provide the release and allowance to your Principal Nominee – Notify Education Payroll who will receive the Principal Nominee allowance in your school and ensure that the employee’s timetable includes the additional non-contact time.
Existing employees on IEAs – All employees on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) will need to sign a new IEA to receive the new pay rates and enhanced conditions. The new IEA is available from the Area school teachers' collective and individual employment agreementsopen_in_new page.
The new rates and conditions will apply from the date the IEA is signed.
New appointments – All new staff covered by the ASTCA will need to be offered an ASTCA-specific letter of offer for employment. These can be accessed from our recruitment section of the Resource Centre.
If they are not a member of NZEI Te Riu Roa or PPTA Te Wehengarua, and do not choose to become a union member, they will need to sign the promulgated IEA for Area School Teachersopen_in_new.
Factor closedown into your end-of-year planning – Note that the board will need to confirm the dates of its annual closedown and provide notice to employees to comply with the new clause 5.13.
Guidance for doing so will be available in our article on Annual Closedowns at the end of Term 3.
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