Teaching Positions in New Zealand

Welcome to the forum Superdad

While waiting for other members to bring in their contributions, experiences and testimonials. I will suggest you to visit the New Zealand Guide page.

There could be some valuable information which might help you!

Regards

Reaching in NZ is biased to females and is highly unionized.  It pay a good salary the better qualified to are the better the pay scale.  The downside is child discipline at home, school and in the classroom leave a lot to be desired.  My wife taught here for several years, coming from South Africa where child discipline was demanded by both schools and parents made teaching a joy as to were the standards of pass rates.  Here all child pass irrespective of their actual ability.  My wife left teaching as it was unbearably stressful.  Trust this helps somewhat.  Forewarned is forearmed.

I appreciate the advice. I understand that there are teacher recruitment agencies and was wondering if your wife or anyone else on this website has used one and what the experience has been. Again, thanks.

We arrived before the paperwork was completed (but knowing we were acceptable on the old points system) my wife used the www.teachnz.govt.nz for info as all government jobs have to be advertised.  Its a chicken and egg situation most schools want kiwi experience, however coming from overseas this is not practical. They appear to be constantly recruiting teachers so I guess just check out a few sites.  NZ sites are really good with meaningful links.

Graham

Many people rave about the wonderful education here, but many people I keep in touch with, and who have returned to their own countries, find their children at least one year behind their peers in secondary schools - except in sport of course.

It says a lot when Auckland university is only ranked 68th in the world university rankings, Otago only manages a 135 place and Canterbury is 189th and gives credence to Cinnie's point of all children pass irrespective of their actual ability. 

I have a friend here from Canada who has been looking for a teaching post for over a year with no success. And be prepared to find special education very different to what you are used to.