Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement 2025-2027
The Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreementopen_in_new (STCA) covering secondary school teachers was ratified in December 2025 for a term of 25 months from 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2027.
What changes should you be aware of?
Along with base remuneration increases, the new STCA 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 for one teacher per school (or in some cases two, see clause 4.28.3) 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 5.6.4 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 5.6.5).
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Recognition of the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework in eligibility criteria for the Service/Qualification Increment, allowing those with a Level 5 or higher qualification on that framework to access the increment, and to do so even though they hold units or they have changed qualification group (see clause 4.9.10).
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Clarification that Learning Support Coordinators can be employed part-time and in job-share arrangements.
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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 4.2.2).
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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 6.2.8 (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 for 2026 includes the additional non-contact time.
Existing employees on IEAs – If they have not done so already, all employees on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) will need to sign the new IEA to receive the new pay rates and enhanced conditions. The new IEA is available from the Ministry of Education’s Secondary 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 STCA will need to be offered an STCA-specific letter of offer for employment. These can be accessed from our recruitment section of the Resource Centre.
If they choose not to join PPTA Te Wehengarua, they will need to sign the promulgated IEA for Secondary Teachersopen_in_new.
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